The Monsters of Morley Manor Read Online Free PDF Page B

Sarah.
    â€œNever mind that now,” snapped Gaspar, giving Melisande a dark look. “If we don’t get back to Morley Manor before they tear it down, we’ll be stuck at this size. Forever.”
    â€œAnd ve vill haf to stay vith you,” added Ludmilla, who had morphed back to her human shape. Then she licked her lips and grinned in a way that made me very uncomfortable.
    Ludmilla’s grin settled it. While it might be cool to have the monsters around for a while, I didn’t think I wanted it to be a permanent situation. Who knew how long Ludmilla could control herself?
    But as much as I wanted to help them—not to mention get them out of the house—I was still a little nervous about what might happen when they got back to full size.
    â€œUh—if we do help you get big, you won’t eat us, or drink our blood, or anything like that, will you?” I asked nervously.
    Gaspar was outraged. “What kind of people do you think we are?” he cried, his eyes blazing.
    I spread my hands. “I don’t have the slightest idea!”
    Ludmilla put a hand on Gaspar’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. I could see him relax a little. Turning to me, he said, “My apologies for my outburst. Your concern is not unfounded. Let us see if we can reduce it a bit. Family! Assemble!”
    Quickly all five monsters got in a line. Placing his clenched fist over his heart, Gaspar said, “In return for your assistance, we pledge to you—” He paused, then looked at us curiously. “What are your names, please?”
    â€œI’m Anthony Walker. And this is my sister, Sarah.”
    Gaspar nodded solemnly. “In return for your assistance, we pledge to you, Anthony Walker and Sarah Walker, our friendship, our support in time of need, our sacred honor, and our hope for a better tomorrow. Thus speaks the Family Morleskievich!”
    â€œThus speaks the Family Morleskievich!” shouted the rest of them (except Bob, of course).
    Then all five monsters made a deep bow in our direction. I noticed that Gaspar managed to keep from bumping his nose this time.
    â€œMorleskievich?” asked Sarah.
    â€œOur name before we came to America,” said Gaspar. “We only use it for our most serious oaths.”
    Well, they could have been lying. But we decided to believe them.
    It wasn’t as if we had much choice.
    â€œWe have to go get dressed,” I said.
    â€œWe will wait for you here,” said Gaspar.
    I opened the door to the hallway. To my horror, Mr. Perkins came bounding into the room. I tried to catch him, but missed.
    Hissing and snarling, the vicious monkey headed straight for our tiny friends.

5
Gaspar’s Story
    W HAT HAPPENED NEXT happened very fast. “Family Morleskievich, prepare for battle!” cried Gaspar.
    Instantly, Ludmilla turned back into a bat. She flew toward Mr. Perkins and began to dive-bomb his head, causing him to shriek in concern. At the same time, Bob the werehuman dropped into a crouch and began snarling in a truly frightening fashion.
    Even more astonishing was the way that Gaspar turned his back to Mr. Perkins and dropped to one knee. Albert came running toward him, put one foot in Gaspar’s cupped hands, and next thing I knew was flying through the air, right toward Mr. Perkins. He landed on the monkey’s stomach and began climbing up his chest. Mr. Perkins, shrieking in dismay, tried to paw the tiny hunchback off, but Ludmilla kept distracting him.
    Only Melisande didn’t join in the battle. “You sssshouldn’t be sssso mean to him,” hissed her snakes, which were tangling around themselves in their excitement.
    â€œSurvival first, kindness second!” roared Gaspar. He turned back to Mr. Perkins and began snapping at his toes with his lizardy head.
    The monkey had had enough. Turning, he barreled out of the bathroom and down the hall, shrieking as he went. For a second I was afraid he