Rhythmical Upping And Downing

The frogs hop out of the car, clutching their papers.

Adeline's mother looks at the board.

Next train to Paris leaves in ten minutes, says Adeline's mother. Platform one.

Platform one is close by.

Good luck, says Adeline's mother.

Good luck, says Adeline. Don't lose your papers. 

We won't, says Quiet-tartus. 

The train is at the platform already. 

They hop on.

That was easy, says the knowlesi. 

Yes. No one saw us, says Quiet-tartus. Where shall we go?

Under a seat, says the knowlesi. One that's empty.

Good thinking, says Quiet-tartus.

They find a seat that is empty, and hide underneath it.

But the seat is not empty for long.

Legs, whipers Quiet-tartus. Someone is sitting above us.

As long as we whisper, says the knowlesi, we should be okay.

No, we shouldn't even whisper, whispers Quiet-tartus. Let's go to sleep until Paris.

Under our papers, says the knowlesi.

An excellent idea. The papers will hide them should anyone look under the seat.

After all, what is travel but a series of problems and solutions?

The train has not even started. More passengers get on.

The frogs do not see the familiar legs of Arthur, and the less familiar trousers of Pierre-Louis, walking past them.

Nor do they hear them talking, for they are not talking.

They are heading for two empty seats.

Pierre-Louis sits down. Arthur is about to.

Wait! cries the rana. Don't sit down. I'm in your back pocket.

It is true. Arthur had put the rana in his back pocket, after the problems. 

(in his side pockets, too much rhythmical upping and downing, not to mention the cold potato fritter)

Arthur takes out the rana.

What will you do with it? asks Pierre-Louis.

Whatever it wants, says Arthur.

Put me down on the floor, says the rana. I'll go looking for slugs.

On a train? asks Pierre-Louis.

You'd be surprised where slugs get to, says the rana.

It hops away to look for slugs which have ended up on the train.