Secret Rude Face

I hope this is the right trail, says Pierre-Louis. Did you see a sign post?

No, says Gaius. But we're travelling in an easterly direction.

If it's wrong, says Pierre-Louis, at least the ranger won't find us.

We have nothing to fear from a ranger, says Gaius. 

Unless..... says Pierre-Louis.

You're right, says Gaius. We ought to have checked. Let's stop here.

Yes, best to be sure, says Pierre-Louis.

They stop. Gaius looks into the carriage.

Banjo's here, says Terence. We're making a poem.

A poem is all very well, says Gaius. But now a ranger is after us.

I know all the rangers, says Banjo. 

That's a relief, says Gaius. But how are we to explain that we have you in our carriage?

I'll say you're giving me a lift to the Ada Tree, says Banjo. 

Which we are, says Gaius. But why?

He's making a poem for it, says Terence. And he doesn't know how to, so I'm helping.

I suppose that's a good enough reason, says Gaius. And more proof that the Ada Tree is sacred to possums.

What's up? asks Pierre-Louis.

Banjo is here, says Gaius.

I knew it! says Pierre-Louis. There's no smoke without fire.

That's good, says Terence. Let's put that in the poem.

In the poem? says Gaius. Fire would not please a tree.

What have you come up with so far? asks Pierre-Louis.

A tree has died, says Terence. It wasn't the Ada. It stood by her side and got fader.

And fader, says Banjo. But the next part will be about her.

Wait, says Pierre-Louis. You can't say fader and fader.

Why not? asks Banjo.

It's bad English, says Pierre-Louis. It should be fadeder and fadeder.

That is even worse English, says Gaius. Try more and more faded.

That does sound elegant! says Pierre-Louis. 

But it doesn't rhyme with Ada, says Terence.

That can be overcome, says Gaius. Try a different end word. Such as....aided.

That might work, says Pierre-Louis.

Grown-ups!

Terence makes a secret rude face at Banjo. 

Banjo makes a secret one back.