Adeline's mother drives to the station.
Adeline is in the back, with the frogs.
She is asking them questions.
Why do you want to go to the station?
To catch a train, says Quiet-tartus.
Frogs don't catch trains says Adeline.
(which is not strictly a question)
How else do we get to Paris? asks the knowlesi.
Frogs don't go to Paris, says Adeline.
(nor is that)
They do, says Quiet-tartus. We came here from Paris,
On a train? asks Adeline.
No, says the knowlesi. Not on a train.
How then? asks Adeline.
On a bicycle, says the knowlesi.
Why don't you go back on a bicycle? asks Adeline.
We don't have a bicycle, says Quiet-tartus. And trains are faster.
Is that why you talk funny? asks Adeline.
Is what why? asks the knowlesi.
Because you're from Paris? says Adeline.
We're not, says the knowlesi. In Paris we're catching a plane.
To Australia, says Quiet-tartus. Our beloved home.
Yes, says the knowlesi, And our families. I really miss mine.
Is your poem for them? asks Adeline.
No, our poem is for us, says the knowlesi. A memento.
Do you live together? asks Adeline.
Ha ha no! laughs Quiet-tartus. He lives in south eastern Queensland.
And he lives in northern New South Wales, says the knowlesi.
So who will keep the poem and who will keep the paper with nothing on it? asks Adeline.
Quiet-tartus looks at the knowlesi.
Who will?
There is always the post, says Quiet-tartus.
Yes, says the knowlesi. We'll post them back and forth.
Adeline's mother stops in the carpark outside the Saint Malo station.
She has a question.
To do with frogs and the post.
But decides not to ask it.
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