Little Klein Read Online Free PDF Page A

back to the Kleins as Rich ran in. “I’ll give you the materials on the condition that Rich here comes along to supervise. Be apprentices this time, then we’ll see about having you come back as paying customers. Deal?”
    “I did sketch a building plan,” Mark said quietly, but Matthew elbowed him.
    “Deal,” echoed the Kleins.
    After a large lunch and a wrestle in the backyard, Rich and the Bigs laid out their supplies and started again. They found they liked the noise and industry of saws and hammers and the admiring remarks of Misses Lucy McCrea and Janet Wallace passing by. The Bigs were known for their pranks, and the potential for adding another dimension to their reputation was enticing.
    “Yes, LeRoy, old boy,” said Matthew. “You’re going to be living in a palace.”
    Little Klein was in charge of managing the supplies and staying clear of swinging hammers. He soon grew bored. “I’d still rather have a tree house,” he said, “and LeRoy can sleep in my bed.”
    For his part, LeRoy sauntered off for a late afternoon nap by the river. When he returned, the final nails were being hammered into his structure and this time K lein 1858 appeared just above the door.

Long after moonrise LeRoy barked at the cooling air. Little Klein climbed out of bed and went outside to LeRoy. He sat on the ground in front of the dog’s house and called him out. LeRoy laid his head on Little’s lap.
    “Look at all this yard, LeRoy. We could be growing things. Digging and planting and growing. Corn, like Farmer Filmore. You want to be a farm dog, huh? You’d like corn, wouldn’t you, boy?” Little Klein scratched LeRoy’s ears. “And potatoes for mashed potatoes. And pumpkins. It’s not a very big yard, LeRoy, but we could do it. Couldn’t we, boy? Couldn’t we? I’m not too small for growing things, am I? Think about it, LeRoy. We could sell our harvest to Tim and Tom’s Market. We’d be rich!”
    LeRoy howled his agreement, woofed his delight with the moon, his yard, his boy.
    “Go back to sleep, LeRoy, and quit barking at the stars. They are not coming down no matter how much you beg.”
    Little Klein went back inside and slept soundly until morning.
    Everyone was sitting at the table when he padded out to the kitchen. Mother sat down, too.
    “Can I plant some things in the backyard?” he asked.
    “Gardens are for sissies,” mumbled Luke through his cereal.
    “Corn is not —” Little started but then paused when Mother Klein seemed to be considering his plan.
    “Hmmm . . .” she said, getting up to turn off the teakettle, “I’ve been thinking about gardening myself. I’m glad you reminded me. I want a flower garden. Flowers to balance all the boyness around here. Cosmos, daisies, zinnias. Roses. It’s a little late to start planting, but why not? I may need a book or two and yes, roses as well. Your father will be home in two weeks and the yard should look fine. That doghouse sticks out as it is. Today’s as good as any to get started. Finish up, boys. You’re going to help me.”
    “But . . .” started Little Klein, “I meant . . .” but Mother Klein was already out the door.
    She took her teacup and wandered through the yard, pacing it off end to end, side to side. She looked at her square of land as a farmer does in the spring. She saw red and yellow. She saw neighbors stopping to admire. Mother Klein saw herself in a bonnet with a hoe and she saw herself at the state fair with blue ribbons and her name card,
Esther Klein,
paired proudly.
    She could bring bouquets to neighbors who would invite her in for lemonade. The women who entered produce, baked goods, and such in the county fair talked all the time and even rode together to the city for the state fair judging. By the time the boys came out for instructions, Mother Klein had a plan.
    “We need a ball of string and the croquet set. We need the paper off some sticks of gum and a pencil. Go round up those things, and