Felix Takes the Stage by Kathryn Lasky Read Free Book Online Page B

you all to line up next to me, and when the bus stops, just swing up. But don’t go by the stairs — you might get squished. Get ready to cast a line and hoist yourself.”
    â€œI have a better idea,” Fat Cat said. “All of you get on my back and I’ll climb up on the rear fender.”
    â€œYou’re sure, Fatty? You’re sure you can jump that high?”
    â€œIt’s not that high. I am a veteran bus rider.”
    Fat Cat was as good as his word. They were soon all aboard the bus. Minutes later, as they rounded the corner on Yucca and Highland, Jo Bell called back to them with wonderful news. “Hey, he’s back!”
    â€œWho?” Edith called up.
    â€œLeon Brinsky, the conductor. He survived! There’s a big sign welcoming him back.”
    â€œNow, that is a blessed event!” Felix sighed with relief.
    â€œI hope Felix will be exonerated,” Edith called back up.
    â€œWhat’s exonerated?” asked Julep.
    â€œNot blamed.”
    â€œWhat does it matter, if my musical career is finished?” Felix sighed.
    â€œNot necessarily, dear. There is more music out there. Remember, we’re going to Boston. There is music and art in Boston.”
    â€œBut we’re going to the library and not a symphony hall.”
    â€œWell, we’ll see.”
    Felix hated it when his mother said “we’ll see.” Even worse was “we’ll think about it.” Because all she really ever wanted to see or think about was a dimmer, darker, more remote place to hide.
    And a hidey-hole was exactly where Edith’s musings were taking her. Someday, she thought, they would find everything they ever needed and wanted. And the Boston Public Library was a vast and wonderful place to start. She had left because she could not bear to be there without her mother. But now she had children of her own. If she were ever to find clues to the Place Where Time Has Stopped, it would be in the soft glow of those reading rooms filled with thousands upon thousands of books. There was so much to be explored, so much to read. And so many lovely places to hide.

A fter they had boarded the bus, Felix cast a line to the roof and skibbled off to explore. He was back in a few minutes.
    â€œHey, you should see what’s on the side of this bus,” Felix called out.
    â€œWhat is it?” Jo Bell asked.
    â€œIt’s an ad for a movie — about spiders!” Julep and Jo Bell scurried over to have a look. There was an advertisement running the length of the bus that showed an enormous spider with fangs the size of dinosaur teeth fighting a brawny man with a safari hat and a long whip.
    â€œWhat in the name of venom does that fool think he’s doing — a whip? Like a whip is going to help him. Why doesn’t he just have a fumigation tank like other E-Men?” Jo Bell exclaimed.
    â€œHe’s trying to be a hero,” Felix said. “Movie heroes have whips, not fumigation tanks.”
    â€œThat’s not even a real spider! Look how they messed up his eyes!”
    â€œWell, that’s Hollywood for you!” Felix said.
    â€œHe is kind of handsome,” Julep mused. “The man, that is.”
    â€œHe looks like a jerk to me,” Felix replied.
    â€œWhat’s the movie called?” Julep asked as the bus pulled up at a stoplight.
    â€œâ€˜ Kentucky Jones and the Spiders of Doom ,’” Jo Belle said, reading upside down.

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    After another hour of riding, they arrived at the terminal. Edith immediately spotted a sign flashing BOSTON on a silvery blue bus, but Fatty was quick to redirect her.
    â€œNot the Blue Fox line — no, never!”
    â€œWhy ever not?” Edith asked.
    â€œYou don’t want to have to hang out in the lavatories all the time.” He wrinkled his nose.
    Edith knew that cats tended to be more sensitive than spiders about such things and gave Fatty a look.
    â€œEdith,