Useless Hopping

Scrape it off anyway, says Sweetpea.

It'll come off by itself, says Arthur.

But how did it get there? asks Sweetpea.

Did you step on it? asks Arthur.

No, I ate it, says Sweetpea.

It must have gone right through you and come out at your toes, says Arthur.

Then I should have red feet, says Sweetpea.

Why? asks Arthur. 

Because of the red drink . But I got a red nose, says Sweetpea.

Liquids must be different, says Arthur. They ooze out much sooner.

Nicolo taps Arthur on the shoulder.

Has he got a fungus? asks Nicolo.

No, says Arthur. Just cheese.

Good, says Nicolo. I'd like to return him in decent condition. Are you scraping it off?

No, says Arthur. I told him it'd come off.

How? asks Nicolo. 

It just will, says Arthur. Everything does in the end.

We haven't got that long, says Nicolo. 

What shall I do? asks Sweetpea.

Dance, says the Kroombit tinker, from inside her tube.

Who said dance? asks Sweetpea.

The frog, says Nicolo. It's a good idea. When you dance you get hotter.

But will Sweetpea get hotter? asks Arthur.

YES! says Sweetpea. I'll get hotter. Then what?

The cheese will slide off, says the Kroombit tinker, coming out of the Pringle tube.

Where shall I dance? asks Sweetpea.

In the aisle, says Arthur. But not in the middle.

Sweetpea jumps down.

He stands in the aisle but not in the middle.

What dance should he do?

Do a hopping dance, says the tinker. I'll show you.

She hops down beside him and starts hopping.

Sweetpea hops too.

The cheese on his toes shows no sign of melting.

Keep hopping, says the tinker.

Sweetpea keeps hopping.

It's useless, says Sweetpea.

You need a knife, says the tinker.

Arthur won't give it to me, says Sweetpea. His knife is stuck up with fluff, dried cheese, and a feather.

Ask for the feather, says the tinker.