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“Chicago is a beautiful city,” said Mrs. North. “I’m surprised you’re a Cowboys fan, Joe. I would have guessed you’d like the Bears.”
Joe bit his lip and shrugged.
Marvin was surprised Mrs. North knew so much about football.
“Well, it’s nice to have you with us,” said Mrs. North. “I think you’ll like it here.”
“Thank you,” said Joe. “You seem like a good teacher. I want to learn as much as I can.”
Nick groaned loudly.
Mrs. North gave Nick the Look. Then she turned back to Joe and said, “I like your attitude, Joe. Why don’t I put you next to Nick? Maybe some of your good attitude will rub off on him.”
Nick groaned again.
Nick sat several desks away from Marvin. He turned toward Marvin and whispered something to him, but Marvin couldn’t get what he said. It might have been “What a jerk!” or “What a nerd!” He knew it was “What a something!”
Joe sat down next to Nick.
“We’ve been studying mammals,” Mrs. North told Joe. “Who can name a kind of mammal?”
Marvin raised his hand, but Mrs. North called on Casey.
“Bears,” said Casey.
That was what Marvin was going to say. He lowered his hand.
Mrs. North continued to call on other children.
“Lions,” said Clarence.
“Rabbits,” said Heather.
“Humans,” said Stuart.
Mrs. North liked that answer. “Very good, Stuart. People are mammals, too. How about you, Joe?”
“Uh, sure, I’m a mammal,” said Joe.
Mrs. North smiled. “No, I mean, can you name another kind of mammal?”
“Oh,” said Joe. “Um … Oh, I know! What’s that one? It’s big and fat and has a really long nose …”
“You mean an elephant?” said Nick, beside him.
“That’s it!” exclaimed Joe. “I couldn’t remember what they were called. Thanks.”
“Duh,” said Nick.
“That’s not ni
ce, Nick,” said Mrs. North. “I’m sure there are times you’ve forgotten a word.”
“I’ve never forgotten elephant,” said Nick.
“Well, uh, there aren’t a lot of elephants in Chicago,” Joe explained.
“Like there are here?” said Nick.
