Even though Kristy loves Karen and Andrew aijd would want the job on Saturday, our club rule is to offer each job to everybody. "Well," I said, "it looks like nobody is baby-sitting on Saturday so far."

"No," said Stacey, "but I have a doctor's appointment."

"And Mimi's taking me shopping then," said Claudia.

"Well, that leaves you and me," I told Kristy. "You can have the job. I know you want to see Karen and Andrew."

"Thanks!" replied Kristy happily.

I was being nice, but I was also being chicken. There's this weird old woman, Mrs. Porter,

who lives next door to Watson. Karen says she's a witch and that her name is really Morbidda Destiny. She's very frightened of her. So am 1.1 didn't mind passing up the job.

Claudia called Watson back.

The phone rang two more times, and we set up two more jobs.

The next time it rang, Kristy answered it. "Hello, the Baby-sitters Club. ... Hi, Mrs. Newton!"

Mrs. Newton is one of our favorite clients. She has an adorable little boy named Jamie . . . and a new baby! Lucy wasn't even two months old. Mrs. Newton didn't let us sit for Lucy very often, so a call from her was pretty exciting.

Claudia and Stacey and I listened eagerly to Kristy's end of the conversation, wondering if Mrs. Newton needed a sitter just for Jamie or for Lucy, too. Each of us was hoping for a chance to take care of the new baby.

"Yes," Kristy was saying. "Yes. . . . Oh, Jamie and Lucy." (Claudia and Stacey and I squealed with delight.) "Friday ... six till eight. ... Of course. I'll be there. Great. See you." She hung up.

Kristy would be there?! What happened to offering jobs around? Claud and Stacey and I

stared at each other. I don't know what my face looked like, but I could see a mixture of horror and anger on the others' faces.

Kristy, however, was beaming. She was so thrilled at the possibility of taking care of Lucy, that at first she didn't even realize what she'd done.