Alone in His Teacher's House (Marvin Redpost 4)

He rode off. He felt bad lying to his two best friends. But he just didn’t want to take any chances.

He glanced back. Nick and Stuart were on their bikes, a half a block behind him.

He turned a corner and stopped.

Nick and Stuart came around the corner, then stopped when they saw him.

“You can’t come to her house!” said Marvin.

“We’re just riding our bikes,” Stuart said.

“Mrs. North doesn’t own the streets,” said Nick.

“Well, quit following me.”

“We’re not following you!” said Nick. “He thinks we’re following him.”

“Just a coincidence,” Stuart explained.

Marvin got back on his bike. Stuart and Nick followed.

He stopped in front of Mrs. North’s house. Stuart and Nick stopped too.

“Just taking a rest,” said Stuart. He stretched his arms and yawned.

Marvin went into his teacher’s house and locked the door behind him.

Waldo’s bowl was still full.

“Oh, Wa-wa-wa-Waldo,” said Marvin, petting him.

Waldo’s tail swept the floor.

“You really have to eat,” he told the old dog.

Waldo whined and nuzzled Marvin.

Marvin petted him. “Nick and Stuart are so immature,” he said. “You’re lucky I’m taking care of you, and not them.”

He hooked on the leash, grabbed the pooper-scooper, and led Waldo outside.

“That’s the ugliest dog I’ve ever seen,” laughed Nick.

“It looks like a walrus!” said Stuart.

“C’mon, Waldo,” said Marvin.

“Waldo?” Nick and Stuart said together.

“Where’s Waldo?” said Nick.

They laughed again.

Marvin tugged on the leash, but Waldo didn’t seem to want to take a walk. He just took two steps and sat down. He looked back at the house.

Nick and Stuart laughed again.

“Let’s go, Waldo,” said Marvin, tugging on the leash.