Henry and Beezus Read Free Page A

is,” observed Mr. Huggins.
    Meat markets were closed on Sunday, but Henry knew that the delicatessen counter in the supermarket was open. “Delicatessens have wienies, don’t they?” he asked. “I could run down to the supermarket and get some for you, if you’d like.”
    â€œI could go faster on my bike,” said Scooter.
    Mrs. Grumbie smiled. “Thank you, Henry. That won’t be necessary. I think we’ll go out to dinner.” She looked at Mr. Grumbie, who had started toward the house with the roast. “Just between you and me,” she whispered, “I don’t think the meat would have been fit to eat with that sauce Mr. Grumbie was going to put on it.” Then she called to her husband, “Hector, what are you going to do with that dirty piece of meat?”
    â€œI suppose he might as well have it,” said Mr. Grumbie reluctantly. “Not that he deserves it.” He threw the remains to Ribsy.
    Mrs. Grumbie paused in the doorway. “Henry, I’m going to bake cookies tomorrow. If you’ll stop by on your way home from school tomorrow, I’ll give you some.”
    â€œThank you, Mrs. Grumbie,” answered Henry. She seemed almost glad Ribsy had stolen the roast. At least, she wasn’t cross anymore.
    â€œHere, Ribsy, it isn’t time for you to eat yet.” Henry tugged at the roast, but Ribsy hung on and growled. “Come on, Dad, give me a hand.”
    Mr. Huggins took hold of the meat and together they got it away from Ribsy. “I’ll put it in the refrigerator for him,” said Mr. Huggins, “and I’ll have a talk with you later.”
    â€œAw, gee, Dad,” protested Henry. “I wasn’t doing anything.”
    â€œYou wanted something to happen, didn’t you?” said Mr. Huggins, as he carried the meat into the house.
    Henry did not answer. He just sighed and sat down on the steps. Why did these things always have to happen to him, anyway? Robert sat down beside him while Ramona sat on the grass beside Ribsy. Scooter picked up his bicycle. Beezus began to practice twirling her baton again.
    â€œThat was pretty exciting, wasn’t it?” asked Robert. “It isn’t often something happens around here on Sunday.”
    â€œI suppose so,” said Henry, with no enthusiasm at all.
    â€œIt sure was a good thing I caught that dog of yours when I did,” boasted Scooter.
    Henry glared. “You think you’re smart, don’t you!”
    â€œWell, somebody had to stop him.” Scooter threw his leg across his bicycle.
    â€œYou just wait till I get my bike,” said Henry.
    Both boys looked interested. “Aw, you aren’t going to get a bike,” said Scooter. “You’re just saying that.”
    â€œI am too going to get a bike,” insisted Henry. “And it’s going to be a better bike than yours. You just wait and see.”
    â€œWhen are you going to get it, Henry?” asked Robert.
    â€œNever mind when.” Henry tried to look mysterious. “You just wait and see.”
    â€œYou’re just saying that,” repeated Scooter.
    â€œHe is not.” Beezus flipped her baton and almost caught it before it fell to the grass. “If Henry says he’s going to get a bicycle, he’s going to get one. So there!”
    â€œHa,” said Scooter, and pedaled down the street.
    â€œAre you really going to get a bike?” asked Robert and Beezus at the same time, when Scooter had gone.
    â€œSure, I’m going to get one.” Henry tried to sound as if he meant it. He had to get a bike now. He just had to, that was all. He would start a bicycle fund right away. Of course, he had to think about paying for the roast first, but with all that beef in the refrigerator, he wouldn’t have to buy horse meat for Ribsy at the Lucky Dog Pet Shop for a couple of weeks. The money he saved on horse meat would start his