Anna on the Farm Read Online Free PDF

makes a face even uglier than his natural everyday ugly face. Anna sticks out her tongue and makes a rude noise. At the same time she bunches her legs under her, ready to jump up and run if she has to.
    But Theodore spits in the dust and turns his back on Anna. For some reason, this makes Anna even madder than the face he made. She wants to get even with him for locking her in the chicken coop with the rooster, but she can't think of what to do. That's when she notices the watering can Theodore has been using. What if she sneaks up behind him and pours water on his head?
    Anna presses her hand to her mouth to keep from giggling. She's never done anything quite so bad, but even if Uncle George spanks her for it, Anna doesn't care. She wants to play a trick on Theodore. He deserves it.
    While Theodore bends over the weeds, Anna tiptoes across the grass and picks up the watering can. Holding her breath, she creeps as close as she dares and lifts the watering can high. Out of the spout comes a shower of water that drenches Theodore's hair and overalls. He lets out a roar of anger, but Anna is already running as fast as she can toward the house.
    She dashes inside well ahead of him and slams the screen door in his face. Then she scoots behind Aunt Aggie, who is stirring a pot on the stove.
    Aunt Aggie stops stirring and stares at Theodore. "Stay where you are," she says, stopping him on the threshold. "You're all wet. Don't you dare put one muddy foot on my clean kitchen floor."
    "Anna dumped water on me!" Theodore yells. His face is red with either anger or sunburn. Anna can't tell which.
    Aunt Aggie turns to Anna, but before her aunt can ask any questions, Anna says, "Poor Theodore was so hot. I thought the water would cool him off." It's hard for Anna to speak without laughing.
    Aunt Aggie frowns. "Do you think I was born yesterday, Anna Sherwood?"
    Now Anna's face turns red. "I was just trying to be nice," she fibs, still hoping to stay out of trouble.
    "I don't believe that," Aunt Aggie says sharply.
    "It's Theodore's fault," Anna mutters, feeling sulky. "He started it when he shut me in the chicken coop with that rooster."
    Theodore scowls at Anna through the screen door. Turning her head to hide her face from Aunt Aggie, Anna crosses her eyes and sticks out her tongue. Theodore makes an even worse face.
    "Shame on you, Theodore," Aunt Aggie says. "Suppose your face freezes like that?"
    "Suppose hers does?" Theodore points at Anna.
    Aunt Aggie looks at Anna. "Did you make a face at Theodore?"
    Anna fidgets with her overall straps. Theodore is ruining her vacation. He's worse than Rosa.
    "Why does Theodore have to be here?" she wails.
    Before Aunt Aggie can stop her, Anna runs upstairs to her hot room and slams the door. She throws herself on her bed and cries.
    A few minutes later, Aunt Aggie opens the door and sits down on the bed beside Anna.
    "I want to go home," Anna sobs.
    "Now, now," Aunt Aggie says, stroking Anna's long hair. "You've only been here a day. Why don't you try to stick it out till Sunday?"
    To Anna, Sunday is years and years away. She'll be an old lady by the time it comes. Her hair will be white, and she'll walk with a cane like Rosa's grandmother. "I want to leave now," she insists.

    "But the church supper and dance is Saturday night," Aunt Aggie says. "Surely you don't want to miss that!"
    Anna takes a deep breath and sees visions of crispy fried chicken, corn on the cob dripping with butter, all the iced tea she can drink, baked beans, cole slaw, sweet green pickles, soft rolls, homemade ice cream, chocolate cake, blueberry pie. Anna's mouth waters so much her jaws ache.
    "Are you going to make your special potato salad?" she asks her aunt.
    "I most certainly am!" Aunt Aggie gives Anna a hug. "I might even bake a fresh peach cobbler."
    Anna hesitates. Potato salad and peach cobbler are two of her very favorite foods. "Will Theodore still be here?" she asks slowly, hoping, hoping, hoping her aunt will