The Ghost and Mrs. Hobbs Read Online Free Page B

wasn’t sure. She certainly wasn’t about to argue with Mrs. Hobbs, however.
    So she nodded and turned to leave. At the door she stopped and added, “Thank you.”
    But Mrs. Hobbs was gone.
    Allie ran from the cafeteria, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the cold air from the cafeteria’s walk-in freezer.

Six
    When Allie returned, Mr. Henry was talking to the class about Elders Day. “What are some effective questions you might ask the person you’re interviewing?” he asked.
    â€œHow about ‘When were you born?’ ” suggested Brad.
    Pam shook her head. “It’s rude to ask people how old they are,” she proclaimed.
    â€œNot in an interview. Right, Mr. Henry? Besides, we already know they’re old or we wouldn’t have picked ’em for Elders Day.”
    Mr. Henry looked around at the class. “What do the rest of you think?”
    Finally it was decided that it was okay to ask, and if the person didn’t want to answer, that was okay, too.
    Mr. Henry added that he wasn’t too concernedabout the actual age of the subjects. “I’d rather you choose someone you’re interested in, regardless of age,” he said. “Your parents are your elders, too, you know.”
    â€œThat makes you an elder, too!” said Joey. “Good thing you have us to keep you young, huh, Mr. Henry?”
    â€œI don’t know what I’d do without you, Joey. Now, what else might you want to ask in your interview?”
    â€œHow about asking if there’s a certain day or event they remember for some reason?” suggested Wendy.
    â€œGreat idea,” Mr. Henry said.
    As her classmates threw out other possible questions, Allie found her mind wandering. There was nothing she could do to stop it, even though she probably needed help more than anyone else in planning her interview. After her brief encounter with Mrs. Hobbs that morning, she was having a hard time even imagining how the conversation might go. Once she had asked about Mrs. Hobbs’s promotion, what then?
    â€œMrs. Hobbs, all the students are scared to death of you. Rumor has it that you hate kids. Is this true?”
    No.
    â€œMrs. Hobbs, a ghost made me pick you for my class project. Do you have any idea who it might be?”
    No way.
    â€œMrs. Hobbs, your nickname is the Snapping Turtle. Would you care to comment?”
    No, no, no.
    â€œAllie?”
    Startled, she looked up at Mr. Henry. “Earth to Allie,” he said with a little smile. “Were you able to see Mrs. Hobbs?”
    â€œYes,” she answered sheepishly.
    â€œDid she agree to talk with you?”
    â€œYes. She wants me to come back at two o’clock tomorrow.”
    â€œWell, that’s fine,” said Mr. Henry. “You keep an eye on the clock tomorrow, and just leave when you need to.”
    â€œOkay. Thank you.”
    Allie’s classmates were looking at her, their expressions showing sympathy mixed with relief that they were not in her shoes. All except for Karen, who smirked triumphantly at Allie’s obvious unhappiness.
    â€œSpeaking of Mrs. Hobbs,” said Mr. Henry, “it’s time we headed down to the cafeteria.”
    Allie rose along with the others and got her lunch bag from her backpack. Mr. Henry caught her eye and said, “Allie, could I speak to you for a moment?”
    As the class began walking down the hallway, Allie joined Mr. Henry at the end of the line.
    â€œI was wondering if I could hire you this weekend,” he said.
    â€œSure,” Allie answered. “What do you want me to do?”
    â€œSome friends and I got tickets to a Broadway show, so I’ll be going to the city for the weekend. It was kind of a last-minute thing, and I need someone to take care of Hoover.”
    â€œI’ll do it!” Allie said eagerly. “And you don’t have to pay me!” She was enchanted by Mr. Henry’s big,