Who Is The Stronger?

I'll show you the room first, says Letitia.

Lovely, says Katherine. Terence can settle in.

But I want to help with the cooking, says Terence.

We'll see, says Katherine.

What about the frogs? asks Letitia. Do they have special requirements?

They have to practise, says Terence.

Practise what? asks Letitia.

Fighting, says Terence. When they meet their cousins.

Cousins? asks Letitia.

Oh, says Katherine. They aren't really cousins. Gaius has brought these frogs for some sort of comparison.

May we speak for ourselves? asks Quiet-Tartus.

Certainly, says Katherine. 

Shorty and me are a team, says Quiet-Tartus. We want to meet the Slender Bleaters, and see who's the stronger.

Your name is Shorty? says Letitia. 

I'm shorter than him, says Shorty-Tartus.

And what's your name? asks Letitia.

Quiet-Tartus, says Quiet-Tartus.

Don't you mean quiritatus? says Letitia.

No, says Terence. He can say his own name.

Sorry, says Letitia. We're nearly at the room now. 

In fact, they are at it. Letitia knocks on the door.

Gaius opens.

Come in! says Gaius. It's small but cosy. And there are only two beds, but we'll overcome that.

Katherine dumps the pumpkin on one of the beds.

The pumpkin knows better than to get comfy.

Ah, the famous pumpkin! says Gaius. Ludwig has been puzzling over what he should say to it.

Wittgenstein looks sheepish.

Okay, says Letitia. I'll let you all settle in. Will the parrot need anything?

Roo-kai is delighted.

Someone has asked about him!

Perhaps you could get your hands on some molluscs? says Gaius.

Any bivalve at all would be fine, says Roo-kai.

I'll check in the kitchen, says Letitia. 

Take the pumpkin, will you dear, save me carrying it? says Katherine.

Sure, says Letitia, picking up the pumpkin.

That's me done, thinks the pumpkin.