Young Whit and the Thieves of Barrymore by Phil Lollar & Dave Arnold

Author:Phil Lollar & Dave Arnold [Lollar, Phil & Arnold, Dave]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUVENILE FICTION / Readers / Chapter Books, JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian / Action & Adventure
ISBN: 9781684282401
Publisher: Focus on the Family
Published: 2019-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Johnny awoke with a start. His internal clock told him he had overslept.

His internal clock was right. He heard the chime of the mantel clock in the living room downstairs. He was a full half hour behind schedule. He jumped out of bed as if it were on fire.

It had been a short night, thinking about Al—or Sam, or whatever his name was—and the plans he might have to rob the bank. Would it be a big gang wearing kerchief masks or an overnight theft while the town slept? His imagination scoured every possibility.

After scarfing down his breakfast, Johnny patted McDuff, ignored Charlie, and kissed Fiona. Then, grabbing his knapsack and lunch pail, he bolted out the door into the cold winter morning.

He jogged over to Emmy’s house, half expecting her to be outside already. As there was no sign of her, he stood on the sidewalk waiting.

He rehearsed his apology to her for the argument they’d had at the diner, all the while wishing she’d hurry so they wouldn’t be tardy for class. After a few minutes, he went up to the door and knocked. Mrs. Capello answered.

“Buongiorno, Johnny!” she said cheerfully. Mrs. Capello was known about town as a person who broadcast waves of smiles in every sea of frowns.

“Morning, Mrs. C. Is Emmy ready for school?”

“Oh, I’ma sorry. She left early.” Her eyebrows danced expressively as she spoke. “I know that’s unusual for her, but she seemed pretty excited. And I’ma notta one to curb my bambina’s enthusiasm for learning.”

“Right. Well . . . thanks.”

“Prego! You’re welcome. Please, give-a my love to your mamma!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Even the door sounded cheerful when she closed it.

Johnny made his way toward school. He pondered why Emmy would leave early. His first thought was that she did it to avoid him after their quarrel, but he decided not to assume the worst. That thought soon changed, though.

Standing in almost the exact spot of his eye-blackening wallop from Lazlo were Emmy and Al. They seemed to be engaged in a deep conversation. Emmy’s hands gesticulated wildly, which she only did when she described things. That she did it now concerned Johnny. Was he pumping her for more information about the bank? At one point Emmy laughed like a silly schoolgirl. Of course, she was a schoolgirl, but he’d never thought of her as a silly one.

Johnny thought back to something he read in a detective novel: A person’s attributes typify the true person within. Johnny studied Al’s attributes. In addition to his eyes being too close together, his teeth were crooked and his moustache was even more crooked. How could you trust a guy like that?

Johnny started toward them. No sooner had he done so than Al turned and sauntered off. Emmy stooped to pick up her bag and glanced Johnny’s way. When she saw him, her demeanor instantly changed and she quickly began walking toward school.

“Emmy! Wait up!” Johnny called. They were almost in front of the school before he caught up to her.

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