Principal Murphy

Chapter 8 Principal Murphy Claudia carried the plate of cookies out the door. I tried to grab one. But my sister slapped my hand. SLAP!

" Mom said these are for our new neighbor, Principal Murphy! " she said. " We don't have to see the principal, do we?" I asked. " Of course we do, " Claudia said. " We can't just leave the cookies on her front step, ring the doorbell, and run. " " Why not?" I asked. Claudia rolled her eyes. " Come on, Clyde! " She stepped onto Principal Murphy's front porch and rang the doorbell. The door swung open. Principal Murphy stood in the doorway. She stared down at us. I gulped.

Claudia handed our principal the plate of cookies. “ Welcome to the neighborhood! " I waited for our principal to growl. Instead, she smiled. " Thank you, Claudia and Clyde, " she said. " Would you like to come in?" " No, " I quickly said. " We need to get back to doing our homework. " Claudia gave me a surprised look. Principal Murphy pointed to the cookies. “ I could use some help eating these. " My stomach growled.

" Well, maybe we could come in, " I said. " But only for a few cookies . . . I mean, only for a few minutes. " Principal Murphy led us inside. I thought I would see wooden chairs and a big desk. Like in her office at school. But the living room had two soft chairs. And a sofa. And a TV. The principal set the cookies on a small table. " Help yourself, " she said. I grabbed and ate a few as I looked around. Boxes were everywhere. Some were open. In one I spotted something I didn't expect. I raced toward the box.

" Baseball cards! " I shouted. Principal Murphy smiled. “ I've collected them since I was your age, Clyde. " She showed me a signed Ty Homer card. " That's worth a lot of money, " I said. I looked through the box of cards. " These are amazing! " Principal Murphy smiled. Then I spotted a white cat poking her head into the room. " Come, Muffin, " Principal Murphy said. " These are our new neighbors. " The cat looked at Claudia and me. Then she raced out of the room.

" Muffin is a bit shy, " Principal Murphy said. " But you'll meet her someday soon. " " I've already met her, " I said. " You have? When?" The principal looked surprised. Claudia looked worried. " I mean, " I quickly said, " I can't wait to meet her. " " But right now, Clyde and I need to get back to our homework, " Claudia said. " Already?" I asked. Claudia nodded. I grabbed the last cookie and followed Principal Murphy to the front door.