The More the Merrier by Stephanie Barden Read Free Book Online Page A

embarrassed and didn’t say anything.
    â€œAre you giving us the silent treatment too?” asked Abby.
    â€œOh no,” I said.
    â€œGood,” said Abby. “So what’s going on?”
    â€œIt’s a long story,” I said.
    Abby sat down, but Hannah ran back over to the Rosemarys. Kristy and Olivia and their friend Casey, who also loves horses, scooted closer.
    I swallowed. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
    Hannah marched back over. “Rosemary T. demands to know the whole long story.”
    â€œOnce upon a time,” said Erin.
    Hannah made a big harrumph noise and ran back to the Rosemarys.
    â€œThere’s that unicorn again,” said Kristy.
    We all started laughing.
    â€œWell, I don’t have time to deal with this babyish nonsense right now. Please tell Cinderella that I’m giving her the silent treatment too!” Rosemary T. stood up. “My daddy, the special visitor, is on his way.” She marched out of the lunchroom, and Rosemary W. and some other girls followed. Hannah walked back over to our table.
    â€œRosemary T. said to tell you . . . ,” said Hannah.
    â€œI heard her,” I said.
    â€œShe might not be talking to you,” Erin said, “but she talks so loud it doesn’t matter.”
    Hannah’s mouth popped open, and she raced out of the lunchroom.
    Abby stood up and looked like she didn’t know what to do for a minute. Then she finally followed after Hannah.

Chapter 9
A Clog with Puppy Teeth Marks
    A t school on Wednesday, while we waited for Jack’s grandpa to get there, we wrote thank-you cards to Rosemary T.’s dad for coming to visit us.
    â€œTry to win the spelling bee, Cinderella,” said Logan.
    â€œYeah,” said Trevor. “Whatever your party is, it will be way more vexylent than a unicorn party.”
    I gave him a thumbs-up for using my word.
    â€œIf Rosemary T. wins, she’ll probably make us swear allegiance to all unicorns before we can start the party,” said Christopher. “If we refuse, she’ll probably send us into the hall.”
    â€œAnd then some people would start to cry again,” said Trevor.
    â€œThat would be awshucksible,” I said.
    â€œWhat’s that?” asked Logan.
    â€œAw, shucks, that’s terrible.”
    Logan nodded, and we started back working on our cards.
    â€œIf Zachary wins,” said Trevor, “his party would probably be okay.”
    â€œExcept he might forget to plan it,” said Logan, “like he always forgets his homework and his lunch.”
    â€œTess forgot her pants the other day,” I said.
    The smart boys started laughing very hard.
    â€œMr. Harrison,” called Rosemary T. “We are working on something very important right now, and I think everyone should be serious.”
    â€œOh, I think a little levity is always a good thing,” said Mr. Harrison.
    â€œWhat’s levity mean?” asked Logan.
    â€œIt means ‘humor, lightheartedness,’” said Mr. Harrison.
    â€œReally, really try to win the spelling bee, Cinderella,” Logan whispered. “If Rosemary T. wins, she’ll probably make a rule that there can’t be any levity at her party.”
    â€œFive more minutes, class,” said Mr. Harrison.
    â€œI think hearing about firefighting from Jack’s grandpa will be way more vexylent than hearing about banks,” said Christopher.
    I smiled big. My word was starting to get used a lot, and I was very, extremely happy about that.
    â€œYeah,” said Logan. “But I did like the penny roll thing Rosemary T.’s dad gave us.”
    That reminded me. I wanted to ask Aunt Flora if she could bring in some kind of party favor thing to class too. Those penny rolls had been a big hit.
    And then Jack’s grandpa got there, and it was time to give him a warm welcome. He clomped into the classroom wearing big boots and a helmet, and