Bebe looked as if she was going to cry. She picked up all the pictures from Calvin’s desk and threw them in the garbage. Then she ran from the room.
“I thought her pictures were good,” said Calvin. He reached into the garbage pail and took out a crumpled-up picture of an airplane.
Bebe walked outside into the playground.
Louis, the yard teacher, spotted her. “Where are you going?” he asked.
“I’m going home to draw a picture of a cat,” said Bebe.
“Will you bring it to school and show it to me tomorrow?” Louis asked.
“Tomorrow!” laughed Bebe. “By tomorrow I doubt if I’ll even be finished with one whisker.”
? Sideways Stories from Wayside School ?
7
Calvin
Calvin had a big, round face.
“Calvin,” said Mrs. Jewls, “I want you to take this note to Miss Zarves for me.”
“Miss Zarves?” asked Calvin.
“Yes, Miss Zarves,” said Mrs. Jewls. “You know where she is, don’t you?”
“Yes,” said Calvin. “She’s on the nineteenth story.”
“That’s right, Calvin,” said Mrs. Jewls. “Take it to her.”
Calvin didn’t move.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” asked Mrs. Jewls.
“She’s on the nineteenth story,” said Calvin.
“Yes, we have already established that fact,” said Mrs. Jewls.
“The nineteenth story,” Calvin repeated.
“Yes, Calvin, the nineteenth story,” said Mrs. Jewls. “Now take it to her before I lose my patience.”
“But, Mrs. Jewls,” said Calvin.
“Now, Calvin!” said Mrs. Jewls. “Unless you would rather go home on the kindergarten bus.”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Calvin. Slowly he walked out the door.
“Ha, ha, ha,” laughed Terrence, “take it to the nineteenth story.”
“Give it to Miss Zarves,” hooted Myron.
“Have fun on the nineteenth story,” called Jason.
Calvin stood outside the door to the classroom. He didn’t know where to go.
As you know, when the builder built Wayside School, he accidentally built it sideways. But he also forgot to build the nineteenth story. He built the eighteenth and the twentieth, but no nineteenth. He said he was very sorry.