Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine by Jay Williams, Abrashkin Abrashkin Read Free Book Online Page A

fix him. “
    â€œHow can you do that?” George asked.
    â€œI’m not such a dope in science as they think,” said Eddie, grimly. “You heard what they were talking about when we were watching them, the other day.”
    â€œI heard, but I didn’t understand it.”
    â€œWell, I understood all right. Just wait, Danny Dunn. Just—you—wait.”
    CHAPTER TEN
    Trouble in Paradise
    Miss Arnold was giving the homework assignment. As usual, Danny jotted it down with a smile. But suddenly his heart gave a bump, and he sat up straight in his seat.
    â€œDanny Dunn,” Miss Arnold was saying, “and Irene Miller and Joe Pearson. You needn’t write down this assignment.”
    Danny threw a quick glance at Irene. Then he said, “Why not, Miss Arnold?”
    â€œI‘ve got some special work for you three. Come up to my desk right after class. That’s all, people. Gather up your things.”
    The bell rang. As the others trooped out, with many backward looks, the three friends went silently to Miss Arnold’s desk. They stood in a row wondering what was coming. Miss Arnold did not keep them long in suspense.
    â€œWell!” she said. “First of all, I must compliment you on your work. You’ve been doing so well that I’m giving you special homework, for extra credit.”
    Danny gulped. “Sp-special homework?”
    â€œOh, yes. I’m sure none of you will have any trouble doing it.”
    She opened her desk drawer and took out half a dozen books. “These are first-year high school algebra and history books. Please do the first five examples in the algebra book, and answer the first eight questions in the history. By tomorrow.”
    She handed them each two books.
    â€œBut—” Danny began.
    â€œAnd by the way,” said Miss Arnold, in a sugary tone, “I want to commend you all for the neatness of your typing, in your past homework. I do hope you’ll keep it up. It makes the work so much easier for me to read.”
    â€œBut—” said Danny.
    â€œNow, Danny, I know what you’re going to say,” said Miss Arnold. “You’re going to say that you want more to do than just these few problems. Well, we’ll see how you make out, and perhaps I’ll give you even more homework by next week.”
    â€œUlp!” said Danny.
    â€œWell, that’s all, I guess,” Miss Arnold said, brightly. “Good-by.”
    The three plodded gloomily out.
    â€œFine!” said Joe. “That does it. Oooh, am I sick. I think I’m going to die.”
    â€œOh, stop it,” Danny said. “All we’ve got to do is feed the material from these books into Minny.”
    â€œBut Dan, it isn’t as simple as that,” Irene protested. “You know that in order to analyze and program our questions, we have to know how to solve them ourselves.”
    Joe groaned. “What a happy thought! You’re talking to a dead boy. We’ll have to study these two books. And by tomorrow!”
    â€œCut it out,” said Danny. “We don’t really have to study them. We just have to read them enough to understand what’s in them.”
    Irene looked puzzled. “What’s the difference?”
    â€œWhat do you mean, what’s the difference?” Danny said. “The difference is that—well, the difference is— Hm.…”
    â€œOh my poor head,” Joe moaned. “I’ll never be able to hold all this in it. Women! I told you they were nothing but trouble.”
    â€œJoe, you stop that,” Irene said, whirling to face him. “Just because Miss Arnold—”
    â€œI’m not talking about Miss Arnold,” Joe retorted. “If your parents had had a boy instead of a girl, all this would never have happened.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Danny stared at his friend.
    â€œWell, look. If Irene had been a boy, he