Daria Solves a Mystery by Norma Jean Lutz

Author:Norma Jean Lutz [LUTZ, NORMA JEAN]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-62836-192-6
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2004-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Fortunately, Mr. Martin spent the evenings in his room grading papers, so the family still had quiet evenings in the parlor. Daria was thankful the old man wasn’t her teacher. She wasn’t sure she could bear it.

After a week or two of his continual complaining, Daria had had enough. There was only so much a body could stand. Mirza was pouring coffee one morning when Mr. Martin asked, “What did you do to these eggs?”

“Why, I scrambled them, sir,” Mirza said.

“Well,” he said, not looking up from his plate, “they’re terrible. I prefer my eggs just like they come out of the shell. No need beating them all together in a blob.”

“Beg your pardon, sir,” she said.

Daria could see the look of hurt in her eyes. Then Mirza bolted from the room in tears.

“If you like your eggs as they come out of the shell,” Daria retorted, “we’ll serve you raw eggs tomorrow morning.”

“Daria Ann Fisk!” Mama said with a warning tone to her voice.

“Well, she’s right.” Andrew stood to his feet. Mr. Martin looked up at him. “When my papa left for the war,” Andrew told their boarder, “he told me to look out after this family. And I won’t have my mama, my sisters, nor our dear friend Mirza being treated in such a manner. They’re ladies and should be treated as ladies.”

The room was quiet. Daria had no doubt she and Andrew had just chased off their first and only paying customer.

“You young rascals are all alike,” mumbled the old teacher. “Hottempered and spoiling for a fight. It’s no wonder we’re in a war.” He wiped his mouth on his napkin, folded it neatly, and said, “I believe I’m nearly late for class.” With that, he left the table.

“Daria, Andrew,” Mama said softly, “how could you do such a thing? He’s old and set in his ways.”

“Well, he can learn a few new ways,” Daria answered, her heart still hammering in her throat.

“I think they were great, Mama,” Jenny said, her eyes gleaming. “I believe Papa would have been proud of them. Mr. William Martin is a bit more irritable than he needs to be, Mama.”

“Well, at least he pays his rent each week,” Mama said. “That’s what’s important just now.”

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