Story Time by Edward Bloor

Author:Edward Bloor [Bloor, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

27. For Argument's Sake, What if There Were a Demon?

On Thursday afternoon, Cornelia entered Kate's reading class halfway through their review of The Louisiana Test of Literacy Skills. She was holding a poster and a pink slip of paper.

The new Reading 8 stopped reviewing and froze in fear. She stammered, "I've-I've done my best. Every day. Truly I have."

Cornelia ignored her. "Many parents, for many years, have suggested that we adopt a required school uniform here at Whittaker."

She consulted the paper. "Dr. Austin has now agreed with them. Quote: 'Uniforms will remove sartorial distractions from test takers.' End of quote."

Cornelia unrolled the poster. "I have a sketch of the uniforms right here. As you can see, the boys' uniform will be based on Whit's classic blue blazer, tan slacks, white shirt, and purple-and-yellow-striped tie. The girls' uniform will be based on Heidi's white frocks. I am here today to measure the girls who do not have the money to buy their own uniforms."

She rolled the poster back up, placed it on a desk, and took out a notepad. "Now, where is Kate Peters?"

Kate ducked down in her seat, but Reading 8 was quick to point her out. "Come up here quickly," Cornelia commanded.

Kate got up and walked forward, but she didn't do it quickly. Cornelia dragged the teacher's stool to the center of the chalkboard. "Climb up on this and look straight ahead." Kate started to protest, but Cornelia and Reading 8 each took her by an elbow and lifted. Kate scrambled to keep her feet beneath her. She found herself standing three feet in the air, looking out over her classmates, most of whom averted their eyes.

Cornelia ran a yellow tape measure from Kate's hip to the top of her knee. "You're about the same size as Heidi. Perhaps Heidi has an old frock in the Goodwill bag. I'll see. Go back to your seat."

Kate looked out at her classmates again. She posed for them on one leg, her arms thrown back, like Peter Pan about to fly from the Darlings' nursery window. Then she hopped down from the stool and walked back to her seat, bowing and smiling at the stunned Mushroom Children.

Cornelia did not call up any other students from the class. She handed Reading 8 another slip of paper, growled, "Read this," and left.

Reading 8 first read the note silently. Then, exhaling relief, she read it aloud. "Everyone involved in Heidi Whittaker Austin's Orchid the Orca performance must attend a compulsory rehearsal on the roof. Immediately."

Kate closed her test booklet and gathered her belongings.

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