It was not long before the dormouse arrived. Just a couple of minutes late, as per usual, and the dormouse stumbled down the table. He was groggy, clearly, as though he had only woken up just moments before. Likely, this was probably the case.

He plopped down before his tasty treacle treats and his thimble of cream, and only then did he register that Arland was there at all. he stared up at the boy for a moment, and then nibbled one of the truffles.

" Your cooking's improved..." the dormouse said. Then he yawned. If not for their treacle-pact, the dormouse would not be awake at such an hour.