The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall Read Free Book Online Page A

what seemed to be a huge exploded map of the United States. Large white cutouts of states were scuttling here and there, the biggest ones so big that they overwhelmed the second graders carrying them. Oregon was spinning in circles, unable to get its bearings. Alaska had bumped into the wall, New York had crashed into Nevada, and Mississippi was tripping Texas, who dropped her lunchbox.
    Batty picked up the lunchbox and handed it back to Texas.
    “Thank you, Batty.” This was Remy, who had been friends with Ben way back when they were both at Goldie’s day care.
    “You’ve got a big state there, Remy,” she said.
    “All the little states were taken first. I would have liked Delaware. My aunt Courtney works at a museum there.” Remy shifted Texas to a more secure position and wandered off, narrowly missing Iowa.
    Now Batty was accosted by Minnesota and Florida, also known as Ben and Rafael. Ben was excited to have Minnesota. He peered at Batty—just barely—over the northern edge and explained, “We get to decorate these with stuff from the state, and Ms. Lambert says that Minnesota has lots of rocks.”
    “Every state has lots of rocks,” said Batty. “Rocks are everywhere.”
    “But Minnesota is special. Ms. Lambert said so.”
    “I took Florida because of the alligators,” said Rafael. “And also because the rocks there grow right out of the ground. It’s the only state where this happens. Something in the soil.”
    Batty had learned long ago not to try to straighten out Rafael’s wild imaginings. Any attempt just sent him further from reality.
    “Ben, we have to go,” she said.
    He turned solemnly to Rafael. They had special ways of parting, including using codes and salutes, but Batty was too eager to get to Mrs. Grunfeld to wait for all that to happen. She took hold of Ben and pulled him and Minnesota toward the music room.
    “Where are we going?” he asked when they veered past the hall that led to the school entrance.
    “I have to stop by the music room.”
    “You’re going to see Mr. Rudkin?” Even the second graders disliked him.
    “No, he’s gone. There’s a new teacher, and she wants to talk to me.”
    “Why? Are you in
trouble
?” This was even stranger than choosing to see Mr. Rudkin. Batty never got into trouble in school. “Is it about your book reports?”
    Ben knew about Batty’s unwritten book reports and expected her to be thrown in school jail any minute.
    “It can’t be that. Music teachers don’t care about book reports,” answered Batty.
    When Batty knocked on the door with MUSIC on it, Mrs. Grunfeld opened it right away, smiling.
    “Hello again, Batty. Thank you for coming. You and whoever is behind Minnesota.”
    “That’s my brother, Ben, and he can wait out here.”
    “Is Batty in trouble?” asked Ben.
    “Of course not,” answered Mrs. Grunfeld. “You may come in with her if you’d like.”
    But Ben preferred to stay in the hall and ponder the glories of a state with lots of rocks, and Batty went in alone. She was glad to see a piano in the corner. It bore out her theory about being an accompanist.
    “I’ve asked you here so that you could sing for me,” said Mrs. Grunfeld.
    “Sing!” Batty almost turned to leave. She couldn’t sing alone, here, in front of this person who knew so much about music. “Why?”
    “This morning in chorus I thought I heard—” She paused. “I’ll know better after you sing.”
    “But I never sing for anyone except my sister Lydia, who’s two years old and doesn’t count.”
    “Would it help if I closed my eyes? Or we could both close our eyes, and then you will sing.” Mrs. Grunfeld closed her eyes. “You see. I am no longer here.”
    “Mrs. Grunfeld, please don’t make me.”
    She opened her eyes. “My dear, I wouldn’t dream of making you sing. I’m just hoping you will do so, as a favor to me.”
    A favor? What kind of teacher was this? “I guess I can try. What should I sing?”
    “Anything