Belle and Terence are saying goodbye to Jeanne Jugan.
Goodbye Terence, says Jeanne Jugan. Thank you for the flowers.
Yes, says Terence.
He means you're welcome, says Belle. Thanks for the afternoon tea.
Don't forget the frogs, says Jeanne Jugan, handing her the paper bag that they came in.
We can't go in that, says Quiet-tartus. It's got holes in the bottom.
Give it back to me, says Jeanne Jugan.
She folds the paper bag at the bottom.
And hands it back.
I don't suppose you have sticky tape? asks Belle.
No, says Jeanne Jugan. But if they keep still, nothing should happen.
Hear that? says Belle. Get in, and don't move about too much.
The frogs are doubtful. They don't trust the bag's bottom.
But they get in.
Belle shoves the paper bag into her panier velo, next to Terence, and sets off for Saint Malo.
Saints Méen and Maclou are out of sight. They are in a hurry.
They have invited Belle and Terence to stay at their cottage, but there is nothing for dinner.
We'll just dig up some potatoes, says Saint Méen.
Does she like potatoes? asks Saint Maclou.
Everyone likes potatoes, says Saint Méen. We would have served potatoes last time.
Yes we would, says Saint Maclou. And I don't remember her complaining.
She wouldn't, says Saint Méen. She's been well brought up.
Saint Maclou probably replies with a further comment, or perhaps a suggestion. But we do not hear it, as they are now out of earshot.
Belle soon catches up with Pierre-Louis, who has dropped back deliberately.
Heard anything from your father?
No, says Belle. He must be heaps busy.
Busy? says Pierre-Louis. Interviewing philosophers?
Maybe, says Belle. Oh yes, I forgot. You asked me to put you forward.
Ahem, says Pierre-Louis, modestly.
I will, says Belle. I'm sure he'd love to do you.
Wonderful, says Pierre-Louis. I've been thinking of travelling to Adelaide wih Arthur.
Have you told Arthur? asks Belle.
Not yet, says Pierre-Louis. I don't want to get his hopes up.
I wouldn't worry too much about that, says Belle.
I could help him with the frogs, says Pierre-Louis.
Good point, says Belle.
Is he going back with Arthur? asks Terence.
Maybe, says Belle. It depends.
And the frogs? asks Terence.
It might be good, says Belle. Pierre-Louis could get them through customs.
Indeed I could, says Pierre-Louis. There are strings I could pull.
Terence wonders if the frogs have been listening.
He opens the paper bag (at the top) and peers in.
Quiet-Tartus and the knowlesi lie on the bottom fold, rigid.
No comments:
Post a Comment