When may we expect to arrive in Balranald? asks Gaius.
About four o'clock, says Katherine. Why?
I was just feeling peckish, says Gaius.
You should have had a sandwich in Pinnaroo, says Margret.
I would have, says Gaius, but for the toxic contents.
Tomatoes are perfectly safe to consume, says Margaret.
Yes, think of the Mediterranean diet, says Katherine.
Or a red potato smoothie says Terence. They're good.
I don't doubt that, says Gaius.
Does that mean yes, says Terence.
Does what mean yes? asks Gaius.
I don't doubt that, says Terence.
It means I'm sure of it, says Gaius.
How's your poem going, Gaius, asks Katherine.
Nearly done, says Gaius I'm just placing the verbs.
At the end I suppose, says Margaret.
Conventional, but probably best, says Gaius.
Is it about the geological features we're passing? asks Margaret.
Or frogs? asks Terence.
Not at all, says Gaius.
Let's hear it, says Katherine. It won't matter to us where the verbs are.
Very well, says Gaius.
He begins:
Quamquam praefero/ Societatem meam/ Aliquid dicendum est/ De peregrinatione/ Cum feminis.
Silence.
I told you no one would get it, says Terence.
Perhaps just as well, says Gaius.
What's a quamquam? asks Terence.
It means although, says Gaius.
That's in my poem! says Terence. Terence the Good/ He did not eat the potato/ Quamquam he could.
That's so clever, Terence, says Katherine. Isn't it, Margaret?
But Margaret is busy on her phone, google-translating Gaius's poem.
It seems straightforward, except for dicendum.
