She assigned three pages of homework, plus they had to do yesterday’s homework over again as well.
But nobody blamed Miss Nogard. They liked her! She didn’t even want to give homework.
They blamed each other.
It’s not fair! thought Benjamin. I only missed one problem. But I have to do extra homework because everyone else is so stupid!
It was the same all around the room. Nobody missed more than two problems. Everyone thought everyone else was stupid!
Miss Nogard smiled as she listened to their thoughts.
I hate Joe! thought John.
I hate Calvin! thought Bebe.
I hate Joy! thought Maurecia.
I hate Allison! thought Rondi.
And everyone hated Ron.
g
Chapter 30
The Little Stranger
Wayside School was no fun anymore.
“Hey, out of my way, buster!” said Deedee as she pushed past Ron on her way to her seat.
“Hey, keep your hairy paws to yourself!” said Ron.
Nobody had any friends. Everybody hated everybody — except Miss Nogard. They all liked her.
But then a miracle happened.
A new kid came to school.
The new kid couldn’t talk. She had no teeth. She was almost bald.
She was beautiful.
Her name was Mavis Jewls. She was only four days old.
She really was a new kid.
Mrs. Jewls carried her into the classroom.
And when the baby came through the door, all the hate flew out the window.
Louis came in behind them carrying a bassinet, a diaper bag, an assortment of toys, and a baby bottle.
“It’s Mrs. Jewls and her baby!” Todd exclaimed.
Louis set the bassinet on Todd’s desk. Mrs. Jewls gently laid her baby down in it, on soft yellow blankets.
Everyone crowded around the little stranger.