I walked slowly downstairs and found her drinking tea from the special cups with Mimi.
"Claud?" I ventured.
Claudia put her cup down and covered her ears with her hands. "HMM, HMM, HM-HM." She closed her eyes and hummed loudly. "I CAN'T HEAR YOU."
I glanced helplessly at Mimi.
Mimi reached across the table and touched Claudia lightly on the arm. That was all it took for Claudia to act human again. She opened her eyes and uncovered her ears.
"Mrs. Newton wants all the members of our club to be helpers at Jamie's fourth birthday party," I said. I told her when it was. "Do you want to go?"
"Yes," she replied coolly. "I'll go."
"Fine," I answered just as coolly.
But I was beginning to wonder how fine an idea it really was. How could the four of us
help out at a party when we wouldn't even -talk to each other? Nevertheless, I returned to Claudia's room to call Kristy for the third time.
"What is it?" she asked crossly.
I told her about Jamie's party.
Kristy sighed. "Oh, all right. I'll go, too."
"Don't strain yourself," I said. "I can call Mrs. Newton and tell her you're busy."
"Don't you dare!"
"I was just trying to help out."
"Oh, sure."
We hung up again.
It was almost six o'clock by then, but I received two more Baby-sitters Club calls. The first was from Mrs. Prezzioso, wanting me to sit for Jenny. I checked our record book, saw that I was free, and told her I'd be glad to sit.
The second call was from Mrs. Pike, the mother of the eight kids.