A Confusion Of Horse

Verlaine has finished his Jamaican Surprise.

Are you staying in Broken Hill? asks Gaius.

Yes, until after Christmas, says Verlaine. Are you staying?

No, says Gaius. We must push on. Frogs to count and so on.

Then I must amuse myself it seems, says Verlaine.

There's these cool sculptures, down Nine Mile Road, says Sweezus. And qu....

He stops before mentioning the quartz outcrops, in case Terence is listening.

But Terence isn't listening.

He is examining Roo-kai's new medal.

Can I try it on?

Yes, says Roo-kai.

Terence lifts the medal on its ribbon from the neck of Roo-kai, and tries to force it over his own cement curls.

Don't force it, little buddy, says Sweezus. You'll rip the ribbon.

There is an opening at the back, says Verlaine. For use in the case of chevaliers who are not parrots, or other bird species. 

And indeed, there is a tiny opening at the back, that closes with velcro.

Now Terence is wearing the medal.

What's a chevalier? asks Terence.

A knight, says Gaius.

That is, a noble person who rides a horse, says Wittgenstein. Just in case you were thinking it was a certain time of day, to be specific, the time when most of us are sleeping, although not those of us who are rigid.

That's not always the case, says Sweezus

You will have thoroughly confused him, says Gaius.

A sleeping horse! cries Terence.

Quad erat demonstrandum, says Gaius. 

Do I get a horse? asks Terence.

It's not your medal, says Arthur.

Do I get a horse? asks Roo-kai.

A big one? says Terence.

No, says Verlaine. The French government does not like to draw too much attention to its Chevaliers des Clandestines.

I can understand that, says Roo-kai.

But Roo-kai got a present and I didn't, says Terence.

Who's wearing it? asks Roo-kai.

But Terence looks sad.

I've got you something for Christmas, says Sweezus, relenting. 

Yay! cries Terence. What is it? When can I have it?

After I've washed it, says Sweezus.

Terence brightens. After he's washed it! 

It must be a horse!