taught because he absolutely loved it. Some of the other students
didn?t get him and said he was a wannabe British snob, but Helen
thought he was one of the best teachers she?d probably ever have.
?Miss Hamilton,? he said broadly as Helen stepped through the
door, the bell ringing at exactly the same time. ?Punctual as usual.
I?m certain you will be taking the seat next to your cohort, but first,
a warning. Any exercise of that talent for which one of you earned
the sobriquet Giggles and I shall separate you.?
?Sure thing, Hergie,? chirped Claire. Helen slid into the desk next
to her. Hergie rolled his eyes at Claire?s mild disrespect, but he was
pleased.
?It is gratifying to know that at least one of my students knows
that ?sobriquet? is a synonym for ?nickname,? no matter how impertinent
her delivery. Now, students: another warning. As you are
preparing for your SATs this year, I shall expect you all to be ready
to give me the definition of a new and exciting word every
morning.?
The class groaned. Only Mr. Hergeshimer could be sadistic
enough to give them homework for homeroom. It was against the
natural order.
?Can impertinent be the word we learn for tomorrow?? asked
Zach Brant anxiously.
Zach was usually anxious about something, and he had been
since kindergarten. Sitting next to Zach was Matt Millis, who
looked over at Zach and shook his head as if to say, ?I wouldn?
?t try
that if I were you.?
Matt, Zach, and Claire were the AP kids. They were all friends,
but as they got older they were starting to realize only one of them
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