Free School Days According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney Page B

cage, but I wasn’t particularly hungry.
    â€œAnd great to have friends of all species,” Aldo added.
    Suddenly, I remembered what Ms. Mac had said when she first brought me to Room 26: “You can learn a lot about yourself by taking care of another species.”
    I guess that meant amphibians, too.
    â€œIt’s great!” I squeaked in agreement.

    Tardy. Again.
    That’s what Harry was on Thursday. He got to school on time in the morning, but he came back from lunch after the bell had rung. He wasn’t alone, though. Principal Morales brought him back.
    â€œI found Harry staring at the trophy case,” he said. “He said he didn’t notice all the other kids going back to class.”
    â€œI told him he’d be late,” Holly said. (She forgot to raise her hand first, which made me miss my old friend Raise-Your-Hand-Heidi Hopper.)
    â€œQuiet, Holly,” Mrs. Brisbane said. “Harry, can you explain why you didn’t come back on time?”
    â€œDid you know Longfellow School won the All-District Basketball Championship five times?” he said. “But they haven’t won for six whole years.”
    â€œNo, Harry, I didn’t,” she said. “It’s very interesting, but you promised me you’d get back to class on time after recess and lunch.”
    â€œI know,” said Harry, staring down at his feet.
    Mr. Morales told Mrs. Brisbane he’d let her handle the problem. I thought Harry was LUCKY-LUCKY-LUCKY that he didn’t have to sit in the principal’s office and hear how disappointed Mr. Morales was.
    I was a little disappointed in Harry. Why couldn’t he learn to hurry up?

    â€œHarry, can you tell time?” Mrs. Brisbane asked Hurry-Up-Harry when she kept him in during afternoon recess.
    Harry nodded. She asked him to tell her what time it was right then and he was correct.
    â€œHave you had your hearing tested?” Mrs. Brisbane said.
    Harry nodded. “I can hear just fine.”
    â€œThen why are all the other students able to hear the bell and get back to class on time and you aren’t?” she asked.
    It was the same question I would have asked if I had the chance.
    â€œJust when the bell rang, I happened to be standing next to that trophy case. I’d never noticed it before,” he said. “I’ll be on time tomorrow.”
    â€œIt seems as if you have two problems,” Mrs. Brisbane said. “One problem is that your parents have a little trouble getting you here on time.”
    â€œI know,” Harry said. “They lose track of time.”
    Mrs. Brisbane nodded. “Yes. But you have a problem remembering to get in line and come back to class on time. You can’t blame your parents for that.”
    â€œI guess I lose track of time, too,” Harry said.
    â€œI have an idea,” Mrs. Brisbane said. “Why don’t you watch the clock in the morning and remind your parents when it’s time to leave? It may not be your fault that you’re late, but maybe you could try to help them.”
    â€œOkay,” Harry said.
    â€œSecond, when you see your friends lining up, you line up, too. No matter how interesting the trophy case is or what size anthill you see. You need to take responsibility.”
    I agreed with that!
    â€œYou won’t have Humphrey this weekend, but if you can get back to class on time all of next week, you can take him home,” she said.
    â€œReally?” Harry smiled from ear to ear. “I can do it!”
    Mrs. Brisbane let him go out to recess, but after he left, she kept on talking. I’m not sure if she was talking to me or just to herself, but I listened. (I’m pretty sure Og did, too.)
    â€œI’ve had problems with dawdlers before,” she said. “But never quite like Harry.”

    The next day, I waited anxiously for Mrs. Brisbane to make a very important announcement. Luckily, I didn’t have to