Free Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary Page A

it, and then studied Ralph. “It’s the right size,” he admitted. “If it’s yours, where did you get it?”
    â€œBack at the Mountain View Inn.”
    â€œThe Mountain View Inn!” Garf was surprised. “What were you doing there?”
    â€œIt is my home,” said Ralph with dignity. “A boy who was a guest there gave me the motorcycle.”
    â€œNo kidding!” Garf almost believed Ralph.
    â€œLet me out of here,” pleaded Ralph. “I’ll show you I can ride it.”
    Garf looked as if he were tempted, but he said almost regretfully, “No, you might run away, and I want to keep you.”
    â€œAw, come on, Garf,” coaxed Ralph.
    â€œNope,” said Garf, “and I’ve got to get out of here. Aunt Jill just left to give me a chance to return that watch, and I don’t have it. I don’t have it, and I don’t know where it is.”
    Ralph saw an opportunity for bargaining. “I do,” he said. “I know where the watch is.”
    â€œWhere?” asked Garf.
    â€œLet me out, and I’ll tell you,” said Ralph.
    â€œNo,” said Garf. “I’m going to take you home with me.”
    â€œYour mother won’t like it,” said Ralph. “She’ll make you get rid of me.” He knew by the look on Garf’s face that he had struck a sensitive spot so he continued. “She will say I am messy, and she will say I—smell.”
    Garf looked uncomfortable.
    â€œLet me out of here, and I’ll show you where the watch is,” persisted Ralph.
    Garf looked as if he might be tempted. He thought awhile, and said, “My mothermight let me keep a mouse. It wouldn’t hurt to ask. And I don’t want to know where the watch is. If anyone saw me trying to return it, they would say I stole it and I didn’t.”
    Ralph’s hopes dwindled. “I know you didn’t steal it,” he said, “because I know who did.”
    â€œWho?” Naturally Garf was curious to know the name of the real thief.
    Ralph considered. Should he tell or should he not tell? He decided that telling might convince Garf that he was trying to help him. “Catso,” he said. “Catso the cat took it.”
    Garf gave Ralph a look of disgust. “Now I know you’re lying,” he said. “What would a cat do with a watch?”
    Ralph was beginning to feel frantic. “Pretend it’s a mouse. Play with it. Toss it around. You know how cats do.”
    Garf grinned. “For such a little fellow yousure have a big imagination.”
    â€œI’m not imagining it,” said Ralph. “Catso took it. I saw him. Honest.”
    â€œAw, you just don’t like cats,” said Garf, and started to leave.
    Ralph sat miserably back on his haunches. “Well, even if you don’t believe me, don’t forget to feed me.”
    â€œGlad you reminded me,” said Garf, and gave Ralph a generous supply of food before he left the craft shop. He paused by the bamboo where he had found the motorcycle, stirred the leaves with his foot, and uncovered the thistledown-lined half of a Ping-Pong ball, which he picked up and examined. He glanced back in Ralph’s direction before he put the helmet in his pocket and went to his lodge.
    In a few moments Aunt Jill returned, glanced at the shelf beside Ralph’s cage, and frowned slightly as if she were puzzled aboutsomething. Ralph settled greedily at his food dish. I’ll show that Garf, he thought, as he crammed seeds into his mouth with his paws. As soon as I get out of this cage I’ll show him.
    When Ralph’s stomach was comfortably full, he took a long nap. By the time he awoke the craft shop was empty, the camp strangely quiet. A few chickens scratched under the walnut trees, and the kittens tumbled about trying to catch one another’s tails. A horse whinnied in the pasture, but there was no one in sight.