If it can learn to deal with my enthusiasm then it will have done well indeed. [He sniggles as he thinks about it, peeking at the egg with a knowing smile.] It already reminds me of my brother! Perhaps I should have called it Loki!

[And then he remembers something he and John had been debating.] Ah! West! You are knowledgeable in this area, are you not? Are you able to tell the difference between a male and female snake?