She didn’t leave, though. I
nstead, she planted herself on the floor and started pushing a big box with her feet. “Don’t you want some help?” She looked my way. “It sure looks like you need it.”
“Hey! Don’t do that,” my dad warned her. “There are some really valuable things in that box.”
“Oh. Well, how about this one?” She moved swiftly over to another box and looked my way again. “We should push it together!”
“No, no, no!” my dad said, then pulled her up by the arm. “Why don’t you run along home? Your mother’s probably wondering where you are.”
“Oh, my mom knows where I am. She said it was fine.” Then she pointed across the street and said, “We just live right over there.”
My father looked to where she was pointing and sighed(叹息), “Oh, boy.” Then he looked at me and winked(眨眼) as he said, “Bryce, isn’t it time for you to go inside and help your mother?”
I knew right off what that meant, and man, he didn’t have to wink twice. I smiled and said, “Sure thing!” then jumped off the liftgate and headed for my new front door.
I heard her coming after me but I couldn’t believe it. Maybe it just sounded like she was running after me; maybe she was really going other way. But
before I took up the courage to look, she ran right past me, grabbed my arm and fiercely pulled me along.
This was too much. I stopped running and was about to tell her to get lost when the weirdest(诡异的) thing happened. I was making this big circle move to break away from her, but somehow my hand ended up tangling(缠结) into hers. I couldn’t believe it. There I was, holding the dirty monkey’s hand!
I tried to shake her off, but she just held on tight and pulled me along, saying, “Come on!”
21. When did Bryce and Julie Baker first meet?
A. In the summer vacation after second grade.
B. In the summer before the moving van came.
C. When Bryce’s family moved to Julie’s neighborhood.
D. When Julie’s family was ready to move out of the neighborhood.
22. What did Bryce and his dad think of Julie Baker?
A. Julie Baker was a dirty tro
uble-maker.
B. Julie Baker was a lovely and active girl.
C. Julie Baker was a very friendly neighbor.
D. Julie Baker was a warm-hearted and helpful girl.
23. Why did Bryce’s dad wink at him as he talked?
A. He wanted to play a joke on Bryce.
B. He tried to persuade Bryce to help his mother.
C. He planned with Bryce to fool Julie to leave them.
D. He meant to cheat Bryce and Julie to go back home.
24. What would probably happen next?
A. Bryce and Julie would have a fight.
B. Julie would go back to her own home.
C. Bryce and Julie would play together like friends.
D. Julie would follow Bryce to his home to help his mother.
