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When Ninny woke the space next to her where Petrach usually was was
empty. Puzzled, she got up and eventually found Petrach quietly
climbing into a pair of blue underpants in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" she said.

"I'm off to buy a map," said Petrach.

"But we have a hospital appointment this morning."

"Oh Ninny," said Petrach. "Can't you go alone today?"

"Our son is shrinking," said Ninny.

"I know," said Petrach. "And life goes on. It's you who always says we
have to treat him normally." And with that he was gone.

At the hospital the doctor looked around Ninny as if he expected to
see Petrach there. He didn't.

"He hasn't, you know, has he?" said the doctor.

"What?" said Ninny.

"Shrunk."

"No," said Ninny.

"Then the crab-like instrument up the rectum put him off?"

"Oh no," said Ninny. "He's just gone to buy a map. He thinks this one
might be the one."

"The one?" said the doctor.

"It's a long story," said Ninny and she handed over little
Petrach.

Ninny was used to the routine and was no longer afraid of the doctor's
succession of sharp metal instruments in what seemed like a dangerous
proximity to her son's body. She even managed to eat a tealeaf
sandwich.

She was about to start a second when the doctor appeared next to
her.

"I think you'd better sit down," he said.

"I am sitting down," said Ninny.

"Then I have some news," said the doctor.