Jean and Johnny by Beverly Cleary

Author:Beverly Cleary
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780061972249
Publisher: HarperCollins

Chapter 6

Jean spent an uncomfortable weekend. Her argument with Sue hung in the air like a threatening cloud on a bright day, spoiling their pleasure in working together on the choir stoles. After supper Jean continued to sew alone, but sharing a room with Sue forced her to watch Sue’s blithe preparations for her first date. She could not understand Sue’s attitude, which was serene as well as happy. Sue knew exactly what she wanted to wear, and she had no trouble getting her lipstick on. One would think she went out with a boy every night of the week. When Jean could not bear to watch Sue another moment, she gathered up her basting thread and material and took them into the living room. Sue would probably be glad to have the bedroom to herself, and Jean could duck out of sight before Ken came. She did not know why, but she did not want to meet her sister’s friend.

Jean was so gnawed by the fear that Johnny might be angry with her for telephoning him, and so worried that she might not have the courage to ask him to go to the dance with her and that he might refuse her if she did ask him, that she lost track of time and was surprised when the doorbell rang.

“Answer it, somebody,” Sue called.

Because Kenneth could see her through the glass door, there was nothing for Jean to do but put down her sewing and open the door for him.

“Why, hello, Jean!” Kenneth’s voice was deeper than she had remembered.

“Won’t you come in?” asked Jean. “Sue will be ready in a minute.”

“I haven’t seen you since you were a little girl,” remarked Kenneth, as he stepped into the living room. “You’ve grown so much that I am not sure I would have known you if I’d seen you on the street.”

Kenneth could not have said anything that would have pleased Jean more. While he spoke to Mrs. Jarrett and shook hands with Mr. Jarrett, Jean folded her sewing and at the same time appraised this boy her sister liked. Sue was right. He wasn’t awful at all. The ugly duckling had turned into…not exactly a swan, but a young man with poise. He seemed grown up, compared to the boys at school; and although he was not handsome, or even particularly good-looking—there were still some scars on his face from the skin trouble he had had when he was younger—his face was agreeable because it was so…What was the word? Kind, perhaps. Or gentle. But strong, too. He was genuinely glad to see all of Sue’s family, and when Sue entered the room and he helped her on with her coat, Jean thought he acted as if her sister was someone precious to him. And Sue…the way she glowed when she looked at Kenneth…

As soon as Sue and Kenneth had gone, Jean did the only thing a girl could possibly do when her sister had a date and she was left at home worrying for fear the boy she liked was angry with her.

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