Alone in His Teacher's House by Louis Sachar Page B

your job very seriously.”
    Marvin nodded. But he knew it was not yet time to feel proud. Wait seven days. If he didn’t lose the key. If Mrs. North’s house didn’t burn down. If Waldo wasn’t dead. Then he’d be proud.
    He finished eating, rinsed his dishes, and put them in the dishwasher.
    “Oh, here you are,” said his mother, coming into the kitchen. “What would you like for breakfast?”
    The whole family stood by the door as Marvin left for work. Marvin had one brother and one sister. Jacob was eleven. Linzy was four.
    “Twenty-five bucks! All right, Mar!” said Jacob.
    Marvin slapped his big brother’s hand.
    It was odd. Marvin had always lookedup to Jacob. He wanted to be just like him.

    But Jacob never had a job.
    “I’m going to miss you, Marvin,” said Linzy.
    “I’m not moving away,” Marvin told her. “I’ll be home after school, just like every other day.”
    “I’ll still miss you,” said Linzy. “I miss you every day.”
    “I’ll miss you too,” said Marvin. He walked out the door.
    There was a fence around the Redpost house. The fence was all white except for one red post.
    Marvin tapped the family post—for luck—then rode his bike to Mrs. North’s.
    He could hear Waldo whining—orsinging—as he took the key out of his pocket.
    “Hi, Waldo,” he said through the door.
    He unlocked the door, then carefully opened it so the dog couldn’t run out.
    Waldo was sitting on the other side of the door. His big tail swept back and forth.
    “How ya doin’, Whisker-face?” said Marvin. He petted the old dog.
    Waldo didn’t want Marvin to stop petting him. Every time Marvin stopped, Waldo whined and nuzzled Marvin for more.
    “Oh, Waldo,” said Marvin. He rubbed Waldo’s head and scratched him behind the ears. “You want to go for a walk?”
    He got Waldo’s leash and the pooper-scooper.
    They walked around the block.
    It was only a little gross using the pooper-scooper. Marvin didn’t let it bother him. It was his job. He was mature and responsible.
    When they got back, he checked Waldo’s bowls. Waldo still had plenty of food and water.
    Before leaving, Marvin made sure the key was in his pocket.
    Waldo whined.
    Marvin petted him. “I’ve got to go now, Waldo,” he said.
    Waldo nuzzled him.
    Marvin petted him some more. “I’ll be back right after school,” he promised.
    Waldo lifted his big paw and put it on Marvin’s arm.
    “Okay, just a little longer,” said Marvin.
    Waldo rolled over and Marvin rubbed his tummy.

4
The Substitute
    “You were alone in her house?” Stuart exclaimed.
    Marvin nodded.
    “Oh, man, what’d you do?” asked Nick.
    Marvin shrugged.
    They were out on the playground. School hadn’t started yet.
    “Let me see the key,” said Stuart.
    “Did you look in her closet?” asked Nick.
    “No,” said Marvin.
Why would he look in her closet?
    “How about her refrigerator?” askedNick. “Did you at least look in her refrigerator?”
    “Let me see the key,” Stuart said again.
    “How about her bathroom?” asked Nick.
    “I don’t remember,” said Marvin.
    “You don’t remember if you saw her bathroom?
” asked Nick.
    “Let me see the key,” said Stuart.
    Marvin fished the key out of his pocket.
    Stuart took it from him. “Wow,” he said, then handed it to Nick.
    “Hey, everybody!” Nick shouted. “I have the key to Mrs. North’s house!”
    Kids came running from all directions.
    “Marvin was alone in her house!” said Nick as he gave the key to Kenny.
    “Did you look in her closet?” asked Clarence.
    “What for?” asked Marvin.
    “To see her clothes!” Nick and Clarence answered together.
    “Did you turn on her television?” asked Melanie.
    Marvin couldn’t tell who had the key anymore. It was being passed around.
    “Did you use her bathroom?” asked Casey.
    “He doesn’t even remember if he
saw
her bathroom!” said Nick.
    “What if you were alone in her house?” asked Casey. “And you had to go to