"We don't know what that plant looks like," Tristan said, with a shake of his head. "But you know... you may be on to something!" Very carefully, Tristan began to dig in the exposed earth around the plant. He reached into his backpack and brought out a small pot. He dug around the ball of roots of the plant, and carefully transported it, native soil and all, into the pot.
"I don't think we need to search any longer," he said. "But I won't let my career ride on just one sample!" He looked to Claudia cheerfully. "We're going to get as many different samples of these as we can!" He offered her a spade, and several small pots as well. "As many different plants, too! And of course I'll take pictures of this place, and map the route!" Tristan began to bubble over with enthusiasm as he ran around the room. "We don't need the book, I think! We just need to preserve this room! I think we've found something really special here!"
And it was clear, at last, that Tristan really did believe he had.
[55]
((We can end it there. I think that's a good stopping place.
))