Showdown in Crittertown by Justine Fontes Read Free Book Online

Nothing to concern you.”
    General History looked up from his task. “Cheddar? What are you doing here?”
    He glared briefly at his soldiers before changing his expression to a stiff smile. “No one told me we had…visitors.”
    â€œOnly me,” I said. “Just wanted to say hello while the children do some research upstairs.” Then I added, “I thought I smelled something cooking. But I guess I was wrong.”
    General History laughed nervously. “Oh, no! Just some…metallurgy.”
    â€œMetallurgy?” I asked.
    â€œA hobby,” General History said. “Making things out of metal, like jewelry and lamps.”
    â€œThat sounds interesting!” I exclaimed. “May I see?”
    General History stepped forward and took my paw. Behind him the soldiers reformed their tight line, once again blocking my view. “Nothing much to look at,” he said. “And you don’t want to singe your fur. Shall we see if grandfather’s awake?”
    I assured General History that I had no news, and therefore there was no need to wake Nonfiction. When Poetry started to talk to me, two of the soldiers intruded.
    I tried to sound casual when I told her, “If you ever want to visit or write to me, just tell Chitchat to tell Buttercup. He likes visiting here because it gives him a chance to fuzz up Dot’s tail.”
    Poetry smiled. And it looked even more beautiful than the sun breaking through clouds. “Thanks, Cheddar. Maybe I will. It’s about time I saw more of this town.”
    The grim presence of the staring soldiers cast a shadow over both of us. So we said nothing more.
    I felt the soldiers’ eyes on me, even after I squeezed through the passage. I thought about trying to sneak into the library to be with the children. But knowing that Dot lurked in there made me decide to wait outside with Buttercup.
    I told him Poetry might visit the post office. Buttercup winked at me. “You’re sweet on her, aren’t you? I can tell just by the way you say her name, like it’s a song.”
    I laughed.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?” he asked.
    I explained, “The words to a song are poetry.” I felt my cheeks grow hot as I admitted, “Yes, I do think she’s the prettiest mouse I’ve ever seen. But…” My voice trailed off. What could Poetry possibly see in me?
    So I simply concluded, “Anyway, I hope it’s all right that I told her you’d be willing to give her a lift.”
    â€œAny time!” Buttercup replied. “You know how much I enjoy teasing Dot.”
    I laughed.
    Buttercup ran to the nearest window and barked. Bow wow wow, WOOF!
    Jill rushed out the door. “Shh, Buttercup! You scared the library cat.”
    Buttercup wagged his tail, and Jill patted his head. “I suppose you can’t help it. You just don’t know any better.”
    Buttercup and I waited until Jill went back in the library to burst out laughing.
    We spent the rest of the afternoon helping the children with their crafts. Nilla and I found that we could weave pot holders super fast by turning it into a kind of dance. It was fun!

    When Buttercup left the garage to play catch with Bill and Wyatt, Grayson asked me what I’d learned at the library. I described General History’s strange “hobby.”
    â€œWhat do you think it means?” Nilla wondered.
    Grayson frowned. “They must be making weapons!”
    â€œOut of what?” Nilla asked.
    Grayson’s frown deepened. “Did you see a source for metal?”
    I closed my eyes and tried to remember everything I’d seen behind the soldiers. “Yes!” I suddenly squeaked. “I saw a box of ‘jumbo paper clips.’”
    Grayson started pacing. “They must be melting the tips of the paper clips to sharpen them into swords, arrows, and spears!”
    I shuddered.
    But Grayson smiled. “Good work,