It really does seem that way! Which might mean nothing but an especially brave squirrel, or might mean only one of the small strangenesses of Milliways and its creatures; but then again, it might mean something more peculiar than that.

Cosette hasn't told anyone of the time that she was transformed into a lark for a few days. But she remembers it like a wonderful, exciting dream.

"Hello, M. Squirrel," she says when they're near, mock-solemn, with a little laugh trembling under her words.

How silly, to greet a small animal as if it were a person! And the silliest part of all is that here at Milliways, it might truly be a person. Either way, she's entertained by the very idea, and just in case it's true she ought to be polite.