Mallory got to her feet then and stood at Claudia's window. The Hobarts were outside, as usual. This time, James was on a skateboard, Mathew was riding his bike, and Ben was helping Johnny balance on another skateboard.

"Ben is an awfully good brother," said Mal. "And he's polite and funny." "Is he thrifty, honest, clean, hard-working, and considerate of old ladies?" asked Claudia with a smile.

Mal turned away from the window, looking as if she were in the middle of a wonderful dream. "Yes," she replied.

"Then I think you should, you know, go after him," said Dawn.

"Me? Go after a boy?" asked Mal.

"Sure. Why not?" "Well, okay," said Mal quickly. "I think I will." Chapter 7.

On Friday, Charlie dropped me off at Susan's as usual. I ran up her driveway and along the Felders' front walk, and rang their doorbell. I could hear piano music and knew Susan was playing away. She didn't stop, though, when the bell rang, and she was still playing when her mother opened the door. Mrs. Felder looked tired.

"Hi," I said brightly.

"Hi, Kristy," replied Mrs. Felder. "Boy, am I glad to see you. I really need a break. This has not been one of Susan's better days. She won't leave the piano without a struggle, and trying to get her to eat lunch was like - well, you'd have thought I was asking her to eat hot peppers. She never did eat anything." "Gosh, I'm sorry," I said.

"Anyway, pry her away from the piano if you can," Mrs. Felder went on, as I stepped inside. "I'd love for Susan to get some fresh air today, but if you can't do that, don't worry about it." "Okay," I replied uncertainly, thinking of the plans Mal and I had made involving the Hobart boys.

I must have sounded worried, because Mrs. Felder quickly assured me, "Really. There's nothing to be concerned about. Susan is just being stubborn today. I promise. She doesn't get violent. But she's strong, and she's great at passive resistance. If she doesn't want to eat, she simply clamps her mouth shut." "Why didn't she want her lunch today?" I asked.