Free Maybelle Goes to School by Katie Speck Page B

the children in the lunchroom settled down.
    â€œI’m keeping the pants, Maybelle,” Henry announced. “They make my legs look longer.”
    Maybelle rolled her eyes. “Well, come on, then.” She took one of Henry’s legs and pulled him along. “We have to figure out a way to get home.”
    â€œWe have to go the same way we came,” Henry said.
    â€œThen we can’t let the Peabodys leave school without us.” Maybelle pulled Henry faster. She headed back to the Tower of Taste.
    All she had to do to get there was cross the lunchroom dragging a Dressed Flea. And scurry through dozens of small humans with little eyes to see her and little feet to squash her. And …
    Oh dear!

 
    11
    ZOOOM!

    On the way to the Tower of Taste, Maybelle stopped to rest under a napkin.
    â€œBRRZZZT! Coming down!” Maurice landed on the napkin and peeked at Maybelle and Henry.
    â€œWhoa! I like your pants, little fella.” He turned to Maybelle. “There’s better stuff to eat around here than a napkin with mustard on it, Missy,” he said to her. “Try the Mystery Meat. Yum! BRZZZT!” Maurice rubbed his greasy legs together.

    â€œI’m scared and tired, Maurice. I just want to go home. I’ve got to get back to the Tower of Taste.”
    â€œYou need wheels,” Maurice said. “There’s a kid playing with a windup car at the next table. Follow me.”

    With Maurice flying overhead and buzzing directions, Maybelle and Henry made their dangerous way up onto the table.
    â€œNow, Missy,” Maurice called down, “hide behind a carton of milk. When the car goes by, jump in. ZRRRT!” Maurice did a loop-the-loop in the air. “BZRRRT!”
    Beau Snodgrass wound up his little red race car as tight as tight could be. He let it go. ZOOM!
    â€œHang on to me, Henry.” Maybelle counted one, two, three . As the car raced past, she jumped in.
    WHOA! That little car was fast! It tore down the table, over the edge, and into the air.
    â€œGoing up!” Maurice yelled. “BZZRT!”
    The two friends were flying! ZOOM!

 
    12
    The Last Straw

    The car hit the floor with a thump . Maybelle and Henry almost bounced out. Then the tires squealed and the car took off across the lunchroom.
    The Red Racer was fast, but—
    â€œSteer!” Henry cried. They just missed hitting a tennis shoe.
    â€œI don’t know how, Henry!”
    Maybelle and Henry squeezed their eyes closed.
    Meanwhile, the Peabodys looked at what was left of Mrs. Peabody’s famous Ten-Layer Tower of Taste. It was sadly reduced in height. There were paw prints all over it. There was a bit of cat hair stuck in the icing.
    â€œSuch a shame about your cake,” Mildred Snodgrass said. “I myself don’t keep cats.” She gazed proudly at her own Mocha Majesty. Now she had the prettiest cake at the bake sale.
    â€œIt isn’t Ramona’s fault. This school is crawling with bugs,” Mr. Peabody said.
    Mrs. Peabody sniffed and wiped her eyes. “This is Absolutely, Positively DREADFUL! If I see another bug, I’m going to—”

    Just then, the little Red Racer rolled over her toes.

 
    13
    On the Road Again

    Mrs. Peabody looked down. “EEEEEK!” she shrieked. “They’re teaching bugs to drive at this school! I want to go home, Herbert!”
    The Racer tipped over on the other side of Mrs. Peabody’s shoe and spilled Henry and Maybelle onto the floor. Maybelle ran for cover with Henry still holding on to her.

    â€œThis place is full of bugs,” Mr. Peabody complained to the Principal.
    â€œI was too busy watching a Certain Cat destroy my lunchroom to notice any bugs,” the Principal said.
    â€œI’ll have you know my wife was just attacked by a cockroach driving a car!”
    The Principal smiled. “We all know that cockroaches don’t drive cars, sir.”
    â€œIt was a very