What we feared has indeed occurred, one of the Triops has passed away, leaving six rather healthy looking ones. I will spare the reader with details of its untimely departure, even though I could, having received many notes from my mentor Mr. Hubbard. For hours and hours, notebook in hand, did the old man sit beside the aquarium observing the fading creature. "He went through a number of spasms that gradually became less intense", he said this morning during breakfast, “This definitely supports the theory that he could not get out of his skin and was effectively trapped.” “Sir, please, not at the breakfast table”, said Helen. Not that this would make any difference. “But why not, my dear? It is simply the discussion of a normal aspect of life”, Hubbard said to his bacon. “Right now I have to go to the toilet, which is also a normal aspect of life, but I don’t tell you about it”, replied Helen, her face going bright red after she realized what she had said. “I mean, it is just disgusting.” “Very well, I get your point. From now on I will abstain from discussing the animal life in our abode during any of our meals, including the new baby Discus fish that were born yesterday”, he said, looking at his eggs now. “Oh but that’s not what I meant!” said Helen. “I know I know, I was being facetious, I apologize, I will attempt to be more serious”, Hubbard said with a smile. “There are new baby Discus fish?” Helen asked. “Yes, there is a whole cloud of them in the far right corner below the Victoria Amazonicas”, answered Hubbard. Helen hurriedly excused herself and made for the stairwell when she turned around and rushed towards the bathroom instead.