2. The Key

Chapter 2 The Key Marvin's friends waited with him in the parking lot. "Which one do you think is her car?" asked Stuart. "I don't know," said Marvin. "I can't believe you guys are so dumb!" said Nick. "She drives that yellow Firebird. Over there, next to Mrs. Grant's red Cougar. The pick-up truck is Mr. McCabe's. The van is Mr. Gurdy's. I can tell you every teacher's car." "But you've never driven in one," said Stuart, patting Marvin on the back. Mrs. North came out of the office. She held a folder filled with papers. "Are you ready, Marvin?" she asked. He nodded. "We just wanted to watch him get into your car," said

Stuart. Mrs. North smiled. "Well, it's that yellow one, over there." "I know," said Nick. Mrs. North and Marvin walked across the parking lot. "May I carry that for you?" Marvin asked. "Thank you, Marvin," said Mrs. North. She handed him the folder. "It's my homework," she told him. "You have homework?" "Sure. I have to correct your homework. In fact, I have a lot more homework than you. I have to correct your homework, plus the homework of every student in the class." "Hmm," said Marvin. He never thought of that before. She unlocked the door of her car, got in, then reached over and unlocked Marvin's door. He sat down next to her. "You have a very nice car," he said. "Thank you," said Mrs. North. "The seat is very comfortable." "I'm glad you like it," said Mrs. North.

He tugged gently on the seat belt. "The seat belt seems nice and strong," he said. "Good," said Mrs. North. "In case I crash." She started the engine. They drove off.

Marvin waved out the window to his two best friends. Then he leaned back and enjoyed the ride. jmkfho. From the outside, Mrs. North's house just looked like a

normal house. Marvin didn't know what he expected. Maybe a flagpole in front? He wondered if her neighbors even knew she was a teacher. They parked in the garage and walked inside through the laundry room. Waldo was waiting for them. His long black tail swished slowly behind him. He was a big dog with graying black hair. His face was covered with long gray whiskers, almost white. He looked like a walrus. "Waldo, I'd like you to meet Marvin," Mrs. North said very politely. "Marvin, this is Waldo." "Nice to meet you, Waldo," Marvin said. "He's seventeen years old," said Mrs. North. "That's a hundred and nineteen in dog years." Marvin petted the old dog and scratched him behind the ears. Mrs. North showed Marvin around her house. Waldo followed. He waddled like a walrus when he walked. "You just live in a regular house," said Marvin. Mrs. North laughed. "What did you expect? A blackboard in the living room?"

He laughed. Waldo made a whining noise. It was almost like he was singing. Mrs. North bent down and petted him. "Oh, Wa-wawa- Waldo," she said, her nose almost touching his. "I'm going to miss you, Wa-wa-wa-Waldo!" Waldo licked her right on the mouth. Marvin couldn't believe it. Mrs. North was almost like