Dingo Pingo insists, “We did not respect the pineapple. We received a great gift. That pineapple was an amazing gift. We used it and we abused it.”
“We did not abuse it, Dingo, we cared for it!”
“Justi, how can you say that? We left it out on the floor for a dog to pick. Do you consider that caring for it? Oh, we neglected it. We were irresponsible.”
“We are responsible kids, Dingo! We are!”
“We are!” agrees Isabella.
“But the pineapple is gone. How do you explain that?”
Justinian falls silent. He thinks about what Dingo Pingo is saying. Isabella is silent also.
Suddenly, Justinian has an idea! He lifts his face quickly. His eyes are bright. He stops walking and faces Dingo Pingo.
“Let’s find another!” he shouts excitedly.
“Nother!” shouts Isabella. Her smile is so big.
“Another what?” asks Dingo Pingo.
“Another amazing pineapple! Let’s find another!”
“Another?” wonders Dingo Pingo.
“Another! Then we can continue our travels through time and through Africa!”
Justinian is very happy about his idea.
“Do you think there is another?”
“Why not? We found one amazing pineapple. Why shouldn’t there be another in the garden?”
“Garden!” shouts the little girl with the pink blanket.
“Another! Okay! Let’s go!”
“Let’s go! Go! Go!” Isabella shouts with excitement. She turns and begins to run toward home. Her pink blanket bounces behind her on the murram.
After supper, the boys say good night to Uncle Junior.
“You are going to sleep now?” Uncle is surprised. The boys usually want to play games and read books. Uncle usually has to send them to bed.
“Yes, uh, we are tired.” Justinian explains.
“Tired. Very tired,” agrees Dingo Pingo.
“Tired!” cries Isabella. Isabella is still awake. It is still early in the evening.
“Good night!” calls Justinian.
“Good night!” calls Dingo Pingo.
“Night!” calls little Isabella.
“Sleep well, boys,” bids Uncle Junior.
The boys are anxious to get to sleep. They want morning to come quickly. They have work to do in the morning. They must search.
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