Disheartening

It is evening, in Kroombit Tops.

The Kroombit tinker has promised to introduce Gaius to some of her friends.

Nerida has come with them.

Did you bring my notebook? asks Gaius.

Yes, and a pencil and eraser, says Nerida.

Well done! You are as reliable as Arthur, says Gaius. 

Katherine has stayed back with Arthur.

Is there anything to eat besides apples? asks Arthur.

No, says Katherine. The sandwiches and quiches are long gone. And the marshmallows.

We could drive into Gladstone, says Arthur. And get takeaway. 

It's an hour and a half drive into Gladstone, says Katherine.

We're not doing anything, says Arthur.

We're minding Terence and his frog team, says Katherine.

They can come with us, says Arthur.

Katherine would really like takeaway. And if he went on his own, Arthur might not come back.

All right, says Katherine. We'll all go. I'll leave a note for the others.

Arthur goes to the 4WD vehicle.

Katherine heads off to find Terence.

Gaius and Nerida are sitting on rocks at the creek edge.

Bonk-bonk! Bonk bonk!

There are pobblebonks everywhere, catching insects, worms and spiders.

Tink-tink! calls the Kroombit tinker.

Two Kroombit tinkers hop up.

Where've you been?

With these guys, says the Kroombit tinker, and they've promised to take me to Florence.

Lucky! say the two tinker friends. Don't forget to send us a postacard.

I won't, says the Kroombit tinker. By the way, this is Gaius, a natural historian and this is Nerida, his senior assistant. 

Tink-tink! say the friends of the Kroombit tinker.

I wonder if you'd mind answering a few questions, says Gaius. 

Sure, say the friends. 

How do you feel about reproducing your species? asks Gaius.

We try, say the friends. But it's disheartening, trying to compete with the pobblebonks. 

We're taking three of the best ones to Florence, says the Kroombit tinker.

Pooh! No one will miss them, say the friends.