Crossing Birds Out

 Gaius writes down the names of the birds Baby-Glossy has spotted.

Two Gang-gang Cockatoos and a Rainbow Bee-eater.

Where were they, as a matter of interest? asks Gaius.

Back there, says Baby-Glossy, zigzagging in order to point in a backward direction.

Funny I didn't see them, says Gaius.

And I didn't, says Terence. I bet you didn't either.

I did, says Baby-Glossy.

How did you know what they were? asks Gaius.

I asked them, says Baby-Glossy.

You didn't stop, says Terence.

Birds talk fast, says Baby-Glossy.

YOU don't, says Terence.

And Captain Baudin had un bird book, says Baby-Glossy.

A bird book and a pencil book, says Gaius. I wish I had seen his collection.

It was un book, not deux books, says Baby-Glossy.

Unusual, says Gaius. Why combine the two subjects? Was it a journal?

What's a journal? asks Baby-Glossy.

We're on one, says Terence. It means going.

It doesn't. A journal is a book of daily observations, says Gaius.

Wee, says Baby-Glossy. It was about what Captain Baudin did every day. First thing in the morning...

A wee, says Terence. 

Not everything was recorded, says Baby-Glossy. 

So why did you say wee? asks Terence.

Perhaps he meant yes, says Gaius. 

I did, says Baby-Glossy.

A trap for French speakers, says Gaius. Something to remember.

Noted, says Baby-Glossy. Captain-Baudin recorded trois subjects, in his journal. Birds, songs and things he had sharpened.

Including pencils, says Gaius. 

He only had one pencil, says Baby-Glossy. It got shorter and shorter. When it was only one centimetre long he could no longer hold it.

What did he do with it? asks Gaius.

Yes what? asks Ronnie the pencil, hoping for a happy ending.

He stopped using it, says Baby-Glossy.

But did he keep it? asks Ronnie.

He buried it, says Baby-Glossy. 

What else did he sharpen? asks Terence.

His sword, says Baby-Glossy. And his pocket knife.

He has a pocket? asks Gaius.

He has un in his sailor trousers, says Baby-Glossy. 

Gaius suspects that Baby-Glossy has learnt more than English, French nombres, sharpening skills and old sea songs from Captain Baudin.

All those glib answers.

Gaius looks again at his notes.

He considers crossing the Gang-gangs and Bee-eater out.