my dad asked who i was bringing home for chinese new year. just the two bears, i said. not even the monkey? i did think about that, because they're all very fond of ponder at home, ariel likes hugging him and my dad likes to toss him up into the air, and even my mom taps him on the nose now and then, but there isn't room and anyway i can't leave just possul and mouse here. mouse is a right old grump and resents being left behind, much less being left alone with a cat, whereas ponder is good-natured and gets on with people and possul is sweet and obliging and together they could keep mouse company and they could have a pleasant new year together.

and my dad says we'll go and poke around in toy shops and look for clothes for the bears! and what about fitzie, eh? he's not having new clothes, is he? (she taunts su-lin.)