extra people in town for the science fair. They’ll probablyappreciate the chance to be part of this remarkable moment in Remarkable’s history. What do you think of that, bird?”
Salzburg, who was perched on Grandmama’s shoulder, bobbed her head and squawked approvingly. Grandmama Julietta Augustina had given up trying to get Captain Rojo Herring to take more responsibility for his parrot and was even starting to enjoy the bird’s company.
When she arrived back at her office, Stilton, her faithful secretary, handed her a cup of coffee and three phone messages. One was from Kate Chu, who asked that Grandmama Julietta Augustina call her back about some urgent business between their two towns.
“Hmph!” Grandmama said to herself. She was certain that no business between Remarkable and Munch could ever be considered urgent. The second message was from Mrs. Peabody, who was complaining that the town was infested with pirates, and the third was from Mrs. Belphonia-Champlain, who was convinced beyond reason that the town was plagued by dognappers.
She pushed the messages aside. She needed to finish responding to the Scottish Parliament’s ridiculouscomplaint. Although she was certain that Lucky was bigger and more elusive than Nessie—the Scottish Parliament seemed to feel she should provide some sort of proof, which was hard to obtain given Lucky’s shy nature. She pulled out her most official-looking stationery and began composing her reply.
“Dear sirs and ma’ams,” she wrote. “We have received your ludicrous allegations and wish, once again, to cordially inform you that we have no intention of apologizing for the fact that our lake monster is both larger and more elusive than your own. The town of Remarkable would also like to cordially suggest that if you are not comfortable with this true and indisputable fact, then you are free to go jump in a loch of your own choosing. Sincerely, Mayor Julietta Augustina Doe.”
Grandmama signed the letter with a flourish. And as she was sealing it into an official envelope, she heard a discreet knock at the door.
“Madam Mayor,” Stilton said. “Please excuse my interruption. But there is citizen out here who wants to talk to you.”
“Who is it?”
Stilton hesitated. “I’m afraid I don’t recognize him,ma’am. But he claims that you know each other well and that you’d be upset if I didn’t let him speak to you. His name is…oh dear. I’m afraid I’ve forgotten. I’ll go ask him again.”
“No need,” Grandmama Julietta Augustina told him. She’d already guessed who her visitor was. Even though Stilton had been her faithful secretary for more than twenty years, he’d never once managed to recognize Grandpa John. And sure enough, a moment later Stilton showed Grandpa John in.
“I didn’t expect to see you this morning, John. What a lovely surprise. Have you come to take me to lunch?”
“Hmph!” Salzburg said from her shoulder. She’d been hoping Grandmama Julietta Augustina would take her to Filbert’s Fine Grocery Store on her lunch hour and buy her fresh pineapple.
“No. Not today. I have a favor I need to ask of you—not as your husband, but as a concerned citizen.”
“A favor? What kind of favor?”
“I need to borrow the music box from the model of the bell tower addition.”
“What on earth for?”
“It’s complicated, but let me try to explain. Didyou know that Captain Rojo Herring plays the violin? And quite well, too.”
“Now, John, you know I don’t concern myself with the hobbies of pirates.”
“Well, it got me thinking about beautiful music and its unintended side effects on people, and…well, other things, too. Captain Rojo Herring was down at the lake the other night playing his violin, and his music was so beautiful. And then something amazing, and well, amazingly worrisome happened—”
“What does any of this have to do with the music box?” Grandmama asked, interrupting him.
“Maybe nothing.
Salzburg, who was perched on Grandmama’s shoulder, bobbed her head and squawked approvingly. Grandmama Julietta Augustina had given up trying to get Captain Rojo Herring to take more responsibility for his parrot and was even starting to enjoy the bird’s company.
When she arrived back at her office, Stilton, her faithful secretary, handed her a cup of coffee and three phone messages. One was from Kate Chu, who asked that Grandmama Julietta Augustina call her back about some urgent business between their two towns.
“Hmph!” Grandmama said to herself. She was certain that no business between Remarkable and Munch could ever be considered urgent. The second message was from Mrs. Peabody, who was complaining that the town was infested with pirates, and the third was from Mrs. Belphonia-Champlain, who was convinced beyond reason that the town was plagued by dognappers.
She pushed the messages aside. She needed to finish responding to the Scottish Parliament’s ridiculouscomplaint. Although she was certain that Lucky was bigger and more elusive than Nessie—the Scottish Parliament seemed to feel she should provide some sort of proof, which was hard to obtain given Lucky’s shy nature. She pulled out her most official-looking stationery and began composing her reply.
“Dear sirs and ma’ams,” she wrote. “We have received your ludicrous allegations and wish, once again, to cordially inform you that we have no intention of apologizing for the fact that our lake monster is both larger and more elusive than your own. The town of Remarkable would also like to cordially suggest that if you are not comfortable with this true and indisputable fact, then you are free to go jump in a loch of your own choosing. Sincerely, Mayor Julietta Augustina Doe.”
Grandmama signed the letter with a flourish. And as she was sealing it into an official envelope, she heard a discreet knock at the door.
“Madam Mayor,” Stilton said. “Please excuse my interruption. But there is citizen out here who wants to talk to you.”
“Who is it?”
Stilton hesitated. “I’m afraid I don’t recognize him,ma’am. But he claims that you know each other well and that you’d be upset if I didn’t let him speak to you. His name is…oh dear. I’m afraid I’ve forgotten. I’ll go ask him again.”
“No need,” Grandmama Julietta Augustina told him. She’d already guessed who her visitor was. Even though Stilton had been her faithful secretary for more than twenty years, he’d never once managed to recognize Grandpa John. And sure enough, a moment later Stilton showed Grandpa John in.
“I didn’t expect to see you this morning, John. What a lovely surprise. Have you come to take me to lunch?”
“Hmph!” Salzburg said from her shoulder. She’d been hoping Grandmama Julietta Augustina would take her to Filbert’s Fine Grocery Store on her lunch hour and buy her fresh pineapple.
“No. Not today. I have a favor I need to ask of you—not as your husband, but as a concerned citizen.”
“A favor? What kind of favor?”
“I need to borrow the music box from the model of the bell tower addition.”
“What on earth for?”
“It’s complicated, but let me try to explain. Didyou know that Captain Rojo Herring plays the violin? And quite well, too.”
“Now, John, you know I don’t concern myself with the hobbies of pirates.”
“Well, it got me thinking about beautiful music and its unintended side effects on people, and…well, other things, too. Captain Rojo Herring was down at the lake the other night playing his violin, and his music was so beautiful. And then something amazing, and well, amazingly worrisome happened—”
“What does any of this have to do with the music box?” Grandmama asked, interrupting him.
“Maybe nothing.
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