Alistair Grim's Odditorium by Gregory Funaro

Author:Gregory Funaro [Funaro, Gregory]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy & Magic, Action & Adventure, General, Science & Technology
ISBN: 9781484700068
Google: EgRloAEACAAJ
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Published: 2015-01-06T06:00:00+00:00

After our toast, Lord Dreary continued to press Mr. Grim to reveal the source of his animus, upon which Mr. Grim once again insisted that, until the Odditorium’s systems were recharged, such a revelation would be impossible. Besides, he explained, there were more pressing matters at hand now that Prince Nightshade was on our tail. The first order of business: to find out where the space jump had taken us.

“Right-o, then,” Nigel said. “Come along, Grubb.”

“Just a moment, Nigel,” said Mr. Grim. “If you and Lord Dreary would care to step into the parlor, I’d like to speak to Master Grubb for a moment. Alone.”

I swallowed hard and my heart began to hammer. For a while there I thought Mr. Grim was going to let me off the hook about McClintock.

“Begging your pardon, sir,” Nigel said. “As far as I can tell, this whole Mack business was an honest mistake.”

“Yes, Alistair,” said Lord Dreary. “Try not to be too hard on the lad, will you?”

“I’ll take your advice into consideration,” said Mr. Grim, ushering them out. But as Nigel and Lord Dreary retreated to the parlor, Mrs. Pinch lagged behind.

“May I help you, Mrs. Pinch?” asked Mr. Grim.

“Well, sir, I…”

The old woman’s eyes darted back and forth between Mr. Grim and me.

“Yes, Mrs. Pinch?”

“Well, sir,” she began again. “I may not have my spectacles, but I know a good lad when I see one. And blind me if I’m going to stand by without putting in a word for Master Grubb here.”

“Your word is duly noted,” said Mr. Grim, and he motioned for her to leave.

“Humph!” said Mrs. Pinch. And with that the old woman picked up the tray of dirty glasses and stormed out of the library.

“Well now, Master Grubb,” said Mr. Grim, closing the pocket doors. “Looks like your little jaunt with McClintock has brought us a bit of trouble, has it not?”

“I’m afraid it has, sir,” I said guiltily.

“Nothing to be afraid of just yet,” said Mr. Grim, and he crossed to his desk. “Turn your back, please,” he said.

“Sir?”

“Turn your back.”

I gulped. Here comes a beating for certain, I thought, and I slowly turned round to face the door. However, as I braced my bottom for his blows, I caught sight of Mr. Grim’s reflection in the silver water pitcher on the table. He reached into the wooden box on his desk, took out the Lady in Black’s mirror, and stared at it for a long time.

“What’s to become of him?” he whispered into the mirror—and I could have sworn I saw it flash—but then Mr. Grim frowned. “Temperamental trinket,” he muttered, and quickly returned the mirror to its case.

“You may turn around now,” he said, and I obeyed. “Very well, then, no more suspense. All is forgiven, Master Grubb.”

“Cor blimey!” I said, relieved. “You mean you’re not going to beat me, sir?”

“Beat you?” said Mr. Grim, aghast. “Certainly not, Master Grubb. Everyone makes mistakes, but you have shown courage and honesty in the face of

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