They got to school earlier than they had on Friday, and Baartock went around to the playground. Jason wasn't there, so Baartock went over to the swings to wait for him. Soon both Jason and Jerry were coming around the corner of the school to the playground. They were talking about what they had done over the weekend. Jerry said that he had been to see a movie. That didn't sound very exciting to Baartock, though he wasn't sure what a 'movie' was. Jason seemed interested though and asked all about it.
Soon the first bell rang and Baartock went into the classroom. He wanted to get ready for showandtell. Mrs. Stogbuchner was at her desk and she called him over.
"I had a talk with Mrs. Jackson, and I think I should go talk to your mother," she said. "Maybe you could bring something a little less trollish for lunch."
Baartock didn't understand what she wanted to talk to his mother about, but he said, "Mother home now."
"I can't go right now," said Mrs. Stogbuchner, "but maybe sometime later this week. Did you bring something for show-and-tell?"
"Yes," said Baartock.
"Will you tell me what you brought?"
Baartock had wanted it to be a surprise, but he told her. Mrs. Stogbuchner listened carefully as Baartock explained. Finally she asked, "Do you know how to use it?"
Baartock nodded.
Then she said, "I'll have to ask Mrs. Jackson if it's all right. You put your things away and I'll go talk to her about it now." She got up from her desk and went out the door.