The Missing Book Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Maybe I’ll just write my poem about you, Windy.” Mandie rubbed her cheek on the cat’s fur, and Windy purred loudly.
    Her father called to her. “Have a nice day at school?”
    â€œOh, yes, Daddy,” Mandie replied, hurrying to his side. “We didn’t do much today, and we don’t even have any homework except to write a poem.” Without taking a breath, she asked, “Daddy, have you seen anyone prowling around Mrs. Chapman’s house?” She looked up at him, anxiously awaiting his reply.
    â€œSomeone prowling around Mrs. Chapman’s house? No, I haven’t. What makes you ask that?” Mr. Shaw asked, straightening up from his task.
    Mandie explained about Mrs. Clifton’s seeing someone there.
    â€œWell now, I suppose some of us men should go back over there and check things out,” Mr. Shaw replied. “We worked on the outside this morning. We didn’t go inside the house.”
    â€œDaddy, please let me go with you, please,” Mandie instantly begged.
    â€œNot this time, Amanda,” Mr. Shaw said. “I’ll ride the horse over to Lakey’s house and we men will get together from there. I won’t be taking the wagon.” He began picking up his tools. “I’ll need to get started right away, while it’s still daylight.”
    Mandie was disappointed. “Will you tell me all about everything when you come back?” she asked.
    â€œOf course, Amanda,” her father replied. “Now, you run along into the house and tell your mother where I am going. That will save me a few minutes.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Mandie said, turning down the lane to the back door of the house. “Please hurry back,” she called to him.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Mr. Shaw replied with a grin.
    When Mandie stepped into the kitchen, she found her mother already preparing supper. Mandie set Windy down and took off her coat.
    â€œMama, I’m supposed to tell you that Daddy has gone to Mr. Lakey’s house and will get all the men to go over to Mrs. Chapman’s house,” Mandie began explaining, and related the story about someone’s being seen over there.
    â€œWell now, I suppose he won’t be gone long, so you just get in there and get your homework done and I’ll get supper ready,” Mrs. Shaw replied, checking the contents of a pot on the cookstove.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Mandie said, going to hang her coat on the peg by the parlor door.
    She took her books into the parlor and sat down. Looking at the books, she mumbled, “Now, why did I bring all those books home when I don’t have any homework in any of them?”
    Mandie was frustrated with Joe. She was sure he was hiding a secret about something. And there was no way she could get him to discuss it.
    She picked up her tablet from the pile of books and turned to a clean sheet. She definitely had to write a poem about something.
    â€œMaybe I’ll write one about Joe’s secret. I could make up a secret that he just might have,” she said thoughtfully. She grinned to herself. “And we will probably have to read these poems in class. What would he say then? Might be fun.”
    She settled down with her pencil and began.

4
    Writing Poetry
    THE NEXT MORNING when Joe went to take Mandie’s books, she insisted on holding on to the tablet. That was where she had hidden her poem.
    â€œNo, I’ll carry this,” she said, handing her books to Joe and tightening her grasp on her tablet.
    Joe looked at her in surprise. “Why don’t you want me to take the tablet? I always carry everything for you.”
    â€œWell, not this time,” Mandie replied, frowning as she tried to avoid his brown eyes. “It’s not very heavy. I’ll carry it.”
    â€œHmmm!” Joe muttered. “You’re afraid I’ll look at your poem, aren’t you? Because the poem is bound to be in