“A what?”
“You really have been in the forest way too long.”
Much as the night before, Madeleine, Lulu, Theo, and Garrison did not touch their food. They merely pushed it around their plates while trying to take mental snapshots of every small detail of their time at Summerstone. One thing was certain: they would never again enter any residence of such peculiarity and originality.
“Excuse me,” Hyacinth said loudly from the door to the Great Hall.
“Miss Hyacinth, I’ve prepared a plate for you and Celery,” Schmidty said kindly.
“Would it be possible to prepare another plate?”
“Is Celery eating off her own plate now?” Schmidty asked suspiciously.
“No, someone else is joining us…”
“Oh, Hyacinth!” Madeleine burst out joyously. “I don’t know how you convinced Mrs. Wellington to come down, but thank you. Saying goodbye to her will mean so much to us. Thank you again.”
“Wow, that’s pretty cool,” Lulu agreed. “Kind of shocking, because I didn’t think she liked you after you ruined her entire life and career, but thanks.”
“Thanks, Hyacinth,” Garrison said with an appreciative nod.
“I don’t forgive you, but I want to,” Theo said sincerely. “And I’ve got to admit I will feel a lot better leaving if I can give Mrs. Wellington one of my famous bear hugs. So thank you.”
“Actually, no one is leaving,” Hyacinth said with a smile. “I promised him we would all stay here for the full summer term.” And from behind Hyacinth came an ashen-faced man in filthy clothes.
“Abernathy,” Schmidty mumbled in shock.
“He isn’t ready for the full Today show experience, so no questions, guys,” Hyacinth said, holding Abernathy’s hand. “But he really loves music, especially my voice! We’re even starting a band. We’re still playing around with names, but we’re thinking it best to keep it simple: A Girl, a Guy, and a Ferret. We’ve even started writing our first song. It’s called ‘Don’t Be Jealous of My Ferret.’ ”
As Madeleine, Lulu, Theo, and Garrison smiled hopefully at Abernathy, Schmidty waddled over and set an extra place at the table.
“Welcome home, Abernathy. Welcome home.”
Class Is Not Dismissed! Page 16