Mystery Mutt Read Free Page B

door on a cold night.”
    She agreed. Once again, Jason was thinking of others.
    When a pretty lady came to the door, Stacy asked the question. “We’re looking for this darling puppy’s owner.” She pointed to the box. “Do you know anything about him?” she asked.
    The lady peeked into the box. She said, “AAAGGGHHH!” then slammed the door.
    Stacy’s teeth were beginning to chatter. “How m-many m-more h-houses?” she asked.
    â€œIf you’re cold, you should go home,” Jason replied. “Muffie’s not your problem.”
    They walked in silence to the next house.
    â€œDo you feel responsible for this dog?” Stacy asked, at last.
    Jason shrugged. “I’m not out here freezing my ears off for nothing.”
    â€œI know,” she said. “I think you’redoing a wonderful thing.”
    â€œWell . . . let’s not get carried away,” Jason shot back.
    He rang the doorbell and did the talking this time.
    The teenager at the door didn’t say a word. Just shook his head and closed the door.
    â€œIs this how Mary and Joseph felt on Christmas Eve?” Jason said softly.
    Stacy’s ears prickled. “What did you say?”
    â€œNothing,” Jason said quickly.
    But she was pretty sure she’d heard.
    Hallelujah!

    One after another, they knocked on doors or rang doorbells. Nobody but nobody seemed to know anything about Muffie.
    â€œWell, I guess he’s ours,” Stacy said.
    â€œOurs?” Jason asked. He turned and looked at her. With a weird look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

    â€œJust what I said,” she replied.
    Then she had another idea. It was the perfect idea! “Maybe Muffie could be our club pet,” she suggested. “What do you think of that?”
    â€œI think it stinks,” Jason said. “I’m gonna ask my parents if I can keep this mystery mutt.”
    Mystery mutt? she thought. What a horrible name!
    Yet she felt the giggles building up inside her. Stacy held them in. Jason would freak if she let them spill out. He hated giggling worse than almost anything.
    â€œBetter give Muffie a bath first,” she said. “Your mom won’t give him a chance, smelling like this.”
    Jason nodded. “For once, you’re right, Stacy Henry.”
    â€œWhatever you say,” she answered.
    â€œCan I use your bathtub?” he asked.
    â€œMay you, don’t you mean?” Stacy was picky about speech.
    Jason blinked his eyes. “Please, not an English lesson now.”
    â€œHey, do that again,” she said.
    â€œDo what again?”
    â€œBlink your eyes like Croaker, your frog,” she said.
    Then the giggles came.
    Jason started running. “Oh, no! I can’t stand this,” he hollered.
    Stacy walked prim and proper to their street, Blossom Hill Lane. All the way, she wondered about Jason. How long before he’d pick a fruit?
    She couldn’t wait for him to pick, bite, and eat the fruit of kindness. Or maybe it would be gentleness!
    Whatever it ended up to be, time was running out. The New Year was almost here.
    Two days left!

NINE
    Stacy and Jason chattered while they scrubbed the mystery mutt.
    â€œThanks for letting Muffie use your tub,” Jason said.
    She’d have to clean the bathroom when they were finished. When Muffie was all done with his doggie bath, that is. And . . . before Mom arrived home.
    She enjoyed helping Jason. And he seemed to accept her love and kindness.
    â€œDid you hear? We’re having another Cul-de-sac Kids club meeting,” she said.
    â€œWhen?” Jason asked. Soapsuds wereall over his glasses and shirt.
    â€œNew Year’s Eve,” Stacy said. She tried not to look at sudsy Jason. But she couldn’t help it. He looked so silly.
    â€œWhat’re we gonna do at the meeting?” Jason asked.
    She felt the giggles coming. It was impossible to hold them in.