Ford looks at her for a long moment and then his expression breaks into a grin.

"Yes, that's more or less -- oh!"

Given that he's kind of a brick wall, Fukuro isn't able to completely knock Ford over. What does happen is that Ford has to lean back and catch himself on one hand, which means he can no longer pet the Slowpoke, who predictably doesn't notice the petting hand is gone.

"Real perceptive kid you have," he says to the Hoothoot, like it can answer back.