Why Not? He Could Have

The afternoon passes slowly.

Terence is sitting outside, under a tree.

Roo-kai comes and goes.

Here he comes now.

Well? says Terence. Did you spy though her window?

I did, says Roo-kai. There's a pile of papers on her desk in the front room.

Did they look like certificates? asks Terence.

Hard to say, says Roo-kai. The window was closed. 

Why don't you knock on her door? asks Terence.

A spy wouldn't do that, says Roo-kai.

A tricky spy might, says Terence. Knock on her door and ask for a drink of water.

All right, says Roo-kai. 

He goes.

Terence dreams about his certificate. What will be on it?

"Terence has learned to do mounting and squeezing with his knees and kicking with his heels to start his pony".

"He has not fallen off when his pony has run at a tree".

"He can easily do dismounting". (Why not? He could have.)

signed, Madame Ponty.

Roo-kai returns.

That was quick, says Terence.

She directed me to her bird bath, says Roo-kai. 

Did you look hot and thirsty? asks Terence.

Yes, says Roo-kai. I was hoping she would open a window.

Because it was hot, says Terence. Good thinking.

But she didn't, says Roo-kai.

What about a delivery? asks Terence.

I can't very well turn up with a delivery, says Roo-kai.

You could if you wore a disguise, says Terence. Wait here. I'll get one.

He runs inside, and looks around. 

Hello Terence, says Saint Méen. Feeling chilly?

Yes, says Terence. Can I borrow your beanie?

Not this one, says Saint Méen. But there are some old beanies down in the cellar.

Terence runs down the stone stairs. Yes! There are several old beanies hanging on hooks there.

Terence has a brainwave, and takes two.

He runs upstairs with the beanies. 

Found one? asks Saint Méen.

Yes, says Terence, running fast so that Saint Meen won't ask why he took two.

Roo-kai is waiting outside.

Here, says Terence. Put one of these on.

They are both red, with holes in. Roo-kai chooses one.

You're not coming, says Roo-kai. What's the other one for?

It's the delivery, says Terence.

Great, says Roo-kai. 

He goes, wearing one beanie and carrying one in his beak.

It's going to take all his ingenuity to make this delivery convincing.