Astronomy I Think

Arthur has bucked up considerably, since Sweezus arrived bearing string.

How easy now, to pull themselves up the precipitous mountain.

Arthur pictures a method.

Make a loop in the string. Lasso a sapling. And so on.

Sweezus is unrolling the string.

Bugger! says Sweezus. String splinter!

Let me, says Arthur.

Nup. I'll do it, says Sweezus. This is really shit string.

Must be jute string, says Arthur. Hemp string's better.

Amazeballs, bro!  says Sweezus. How come you know that?

Sea Salt packaging marketing research, says Arthur. Hemp has longer fibres.

So what, says Sweezus.

Stronger, says Arthur, and softer.

And you reckon this is jute? says Sweezus.

Yes, says Arthur.

Sweezus re-examines his string.

I reckon it's hemp, says Sweezus. Maybe that wasn't a splinter.

I don't care what it is, says Arthur. Make a loop and lasso a sapling.

Right, says Sweezus.

By this means they inch up the mountain.

.........

Lydia, Tilly and Buzz are in the frog room, watching the tadpoles.

The tadpoles are hectically swimming.

You put too much salt in, says Mariposa.

A few grains, says Pescado.

They look quite healthy, says Lydia. Really.

A tadpole drops to the bottom of the tank.

Except that one, says Buzz.

You guys are lucky, says Tilly. You've got your own frog room. Is your dad a scientist?

Yes, says Mariposa. And an explorer. And he collaborated in the Spanish/French Geodesic Mission. He's even got a statue.

And a street named after him, says Pescado. And a college.

Wow, says Tilly. And you're off to Hawaii?

Yes, says Pescado. Dad's giving a talk.

What on? asks Lydia.

Astronomy, I think, says Pescado

We should go back to the salon, says Mariposa. Dinner might be ready.

What are we having? asks Lydia.

Mariposa considers telling Lydia that the main course is baked guinea pig, but decides not to.

Surprise, says Mariposa.

They head back to the salon, leaving Piffy and Pi-face to monitor the fate of their progeny.