The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs Read Online Free

appeared, was clueless about the Snapping Turtle.
    Joey tried to explain. “ ’Cause she’s
creepy
. I mean, all you have to do is look at her.”
    â€œYou know better than to judge someone by her appearance, Joey. That’s something we’ve been talking about all year.”
    â€œI know, Mr. Henry, but—” Joey glanced around the room for help.
    Brad jumped in. “Maybe she doesn’t do it to teachers, but when she looks at a kid, it’s like she wants to eat you or suck your brains out or something.”
    Karen whispered sweetly, “If she’s looking for brains, then I guess you don’t have anything to worry about, Brad.”
    As usual, Allie noticed, Karen had made sure Mr. Henry didn’t hear her.
    â€œMrs. Hobbs has been at this school longer than anybody else, and as far as I know, she hasn’t eaten even one student,” he said with a smile. “Allie, I think it’s wonderful that you’re going to interview her. Maybe you’ll stop some of these crazy rumors. Did you know that Mrs. Hobbs was recently given a promotion?”
    Allie shook her head. Promotion? To what? she wondered.
    â€œShe’s already Head Hairnet,” said Karen.
    â€œShe’s always been in charge of our cafeteria,” Mr. Henry corrected. “Now she’s the cafeteria manager for the entire district. Maybe you can ask her about that, Allie, to help break the ice.”
    â€œWhoop-dee-doo,” Karen muttered sarcastically. “I can’t wait to hear all about the Snapping Turtle’s big career move.”
    â€œExcuse me, Karen, what did you say?” asked Mr. Henry.
    â€œNothing,” answered Karen with an innocent smile.
    Mr. Henry turned to Allie. “Have you spoken to Mrs. Hobbs about the project yet?”
    â€œNo,” said Allie, her heart speeding up at the mere thought of it.
    Mr. Henry looked at his watch and said, “Firstlunch hasn’t started yet. This is probably a good time to catch her. Why don’t you run down and check?”
    Allie felt her mouth drop open. “
Now?
” she asked.
    Mr. Henry nodded. “Sure. Go ahead.” Then, oblivious to the effect of his suggestion on Allie, he continued around the room with his survey. “Wendy? Whom have you chosen to interview?”
    Allie, meanwhile, was feeling something very close to panic. She’d known she was going to have to speak to Mrs. Hobbs at some point, but not
right then
. She felt completely unprepared. She glanced at Dub, who looked back with sympathy and mouthed the words “It’ll be okay.”
    She wished she could raise her hand and ask if Dub could come along with her, but she knew how stupid that would look. Slowly, she rose from her seat and walked toward the door, her mind droning a dramatic narration: The condemned girl took what would turn out to be her final steps. Little did her teacher and classmates know they would never see her again . . .
    In the hallway she tried to shrug off her dire thoughts and plan what she was going to say. She told herself she didn’t have to actually do the interview; all she had to do was get Mrs. Hobbs to agree to it.
    She walked down the long basement corridor and past the boiler room. Following the smell of sauerkraut,she reached the cafeteria, where one of the cafeteria ladies was dumping a big pot of steaming hot dogs onto a metal serving tray.
    â€œIs Mrs. Hobbs here?” Allie asked.
    The woman looked up, her face damp and pink from the steam, her expression astonished. “You want to see her?” she asked doubtfully.
    Clearly, kids didn’t often arrive at the cafeteria asking to see the boss.
    Allie nodded. “Yes, please. Unless she’s too busy,” she added hopefully.
    The woman jerked her head toward the kitchen, which lay beyond the serving counter. “Back there.” She turned away to pick up another pot, mumbling something to