“I’ll be away 次 week,” she said. “And I expect あなた to behave.”
“Yess, Miss Nelson,” 発言しました the kids in 207.
But at recess it was another story.
“Wow!” 発言しました the kids. “While Miss Nelson is away, we can really act up!”
“Not so fast!” 発言しました a big kid from 309. “Haven’t あなた heard of Viola Swamp?”
“Who?” 発言しました Miss Nelson’s kids.
“Miss Swamp is the meanest substitute teacher in the whole world,” 発言しました the big kid. “Nobody acts up when she’s around.”
“Oooh,” 発言しました Miss Nelson’s kids.
“She’s a real witch,” 発言しました the big kid.
“Oooh,” 発言しました Miss Nelson’s kids.
“I’ll just bet あなた get the Swamp!” 発言しました the big kid.
On Monday morning Miss Nelson’s kids were all in their seats.
They were very nervous.
Some of them had not slept well all weekend.
“If we get the Swamp, I’ll just die,” 発言しました one kid.
They heard footsteps in the hall.
Slowly the knob turned.
And the door opened…
It was Mr. Blandsworth, the principal.
“I shall personally take over this class,” he said.
Miss Nelson’s kids were so relieved.
But they soon learned that Mr. Blandsworth was not a lot of fun.
All morning Mr. Blandsworth tried to amuse the class with his corny card tricks.
“Oh, brother,” 発言しました the class.
That afternoon, Mr. Blandsworth showed the class his お気に入り shadow pictures.
“This is kids’ stuff,” 発言しました the class.
The 次 日 Mr. Blandsworth demonstrated his お気に入り bird calls.
They were not a success.
And for two days Mr. Blandsworth showed slides of his goldfish Lucille.
Miss Nelson’s kids had never been so bored.
While dusting erasers in the schoolyard, three of the ringleaders of 207 discussed the siutation.
“Something will have to be done,” they said. “We must get rid of Blandsworth.”
And they hatched a plot.
After school they painted and sewed and borrowed some old clothes.
And they practiced some very difficult stunt work in the back yard.
The 次 日 they weren’t in class.
“That’s too bad,” 発言しました Mr. Blandsworth. “They’ll miss all the excitement.”
Mr. Blandworth was about to 表示する the class his collection of ballpoint pens from all over the world, when someone came to the door.
Slowly the knob turned.
And the door opened…
“Oh, look!” 発言しました the class. “Miss Nelson is back!”
A tall and lumpy Miss Nelson tottered into the room.
Mr. Blandsworth was surprised.
“You’re back sooner than we expected,” he said.
The tall and lumpy Miss Nelson didn’t speak.
“Er,” 発言しました the kids. “Her throat must still be sore.”
“Are あなた sure you’re well enough?” 発言しました Mr. Blandsworth.
“She’s sure,” 発言しました the kids.
“Well, in that case,” 発言しました the principal. “I’ll be getting back to the office. Nice to have あなた back, Miss Nelson.”
And he left the room.
“Hot dog!” cried the class. “We got rid of Blandsworth! Now we can do just as we please!”
And at the stroke of ten, the kids from 207 left the building.
No one stopped them.
They went straight to the movies, where they saw The Monster That Ate Chicago—twice.
“This is really living,” they said.
Afterward they went to Lulu’s, where they stuffed themselves silly.
But soon they made a serious mistake.
Heading back to school, they passed Miss Nelson’s house.
Miss Nelson couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Those are my kids!” she 発言しました in a scratchy voice. “What are they doing out of school? And who is that with them?”
Miss Nelson telephoned Mr. Blandsworth to see what was going on.
“You’re not Miss Nelson,” 発言しました Blandsworth. “Miss Nelson is back.”
And he hung up.
“Can’t fool me,” he said.
“Hmm,” 発言しました Miss Nelson. “Something will have to be done.”
And she went to her closet.
Back in 207 Miss Nelson’s kids were spending and agreeable afternoon.
They were very pleased with themselves.
“We should do this もっと見る often,” they said.
They did not notice the figure out in the hall.
Slowly the knob turned.
And the door opened…
“My name is Viola Swamp,” 発言しました the lady in a scratchy voice.
“Yipes!” cried the kids. “The Swamp!”
“That’s right!” 発言しました Miss Swamp. “And I’m here to whip this class into shape. Get back to those desks on the double!”
The class did as it was told.
The big kid from 309 was certainly right—Miss Swamp was a real witch!
She knew how to get results.
The class did a whole week’s work in no time.
“We shouldn’t have gotten rid of Blandsworth,” they said.
“Pipe down!” 発言しました the Swamp, “or…”
Just then something under a 机, デスク attracted her attention.
It was a mask.
“Ah ha!” 発言しました Miss Swamp. “So that’s your little game!”
And she tried on the mask—just as Mr. Blandsworth stepped into her room.
“Miss Nelson,” 発言しました Mr. Blandsworth, “I’m of the opinion that someone has been impersonating you.”
“Uh oh,” whispered the kids.
“You don’t say,” 発言しました Miss Swamp.
“Probably just come kids 芝居 up. I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
And Mr. Blandsworth left.
“And it won’t, will it?” 発言しました Miss Swamp to the class.
“Because the Swamp will be watching!”
A 分 later, Miss Nelson appeared.
“I’m back!” she said.
“Hot dog!” cried the kids. “Are we glad to see you!”
“Didn’t あなた have fun with Mr. Blandsworth?” asked Miss Nelson.
“Er,” 発言しました the kids.
They decided not to mention Miss Viola Swamp.
But they wondered why Miss Nelson hadn’t seen her in the hall.
