Read Online The Missing Book by Lois Gladys Leppard - Free Book Online Page A

the roll that morning, Mandie noticed that Tommy Lester was absent. He was probably grieving over the loss of his little brother or sister. No one had said whether it was a girl or a boy.
    â€œWe will now vote for the class poet,” Mr. Tallant said, looking around the room. “I had thought about some class discussion on the poems written, but I don’t believe we will have time for that. We’ll just go ahead and vote. I’m sure you all remember what was read in class.”
    Mandie glanced at Joe, Faith, and Irene, and they all smiled.
    The schoolmaster continued, holding up a stack of small papers. “I have pieces of paper for you to record your vote.” He walked over to Leland, who sat at the desk nearest his, and handed the papers to him. “Leland, take one and pass the stack on down the line, each person taking one piece of paper.”
    As soon as everyone had one of the papers, Mr. Tallant explained, “Now I want you to write the name of the person you are voting for on your piece of paper, fold it once, and line up around the room and drop your papers in the basket on my desk.”
    â€œYes, sir,” came from around the room.
    Mandie carefully wrote “Esther Rogan” on her paper, folded it, and got in line.
    When all the votes had been cast, Mr. Tallant said, “Now I want you all to write down the names as I call them from these papers, and we’ll see who received the most votes.”
    Mandie kept count and then turned to grin at her friends.
    â€œThe winner is Esther Rogan,” Mr. Tallant announced. “Esther, will you please come forward?”
    â€œMe?” Esther mumbled, rising from her desk. “I won?”
    Then everyone began applauding and Esther became even more surprised.
    â€œUp here, Esther,” Mr. Tallant said as the applause finally died down. And when she finally got up to his desk, he said, handing her a large piece of paper, “Here is the certificate showing that you are class poet for the rest of the year.Your duties will consist of writing poems for the holidays and any special occasions we observe. Also, for the last day of school, during our closing ceremony, I’d like you to write a poem and stand and deliver it to the class and our visitors.”
    â€œMe, do all that?” Esther was still shaken up.
    Mr. Tallant smiled. “It’s easy. I’ll help you.”
    As Esther returned to her desk, she mumbled, “But I didn’t think my poem was that good.”
    Everyone laughed and then clapped. Esther finally joined in the laughter as she sat down.
    Mandie let out a long breath and was silently thankful that she had not won.
    After school was out for the day, Mandie and Joe walked with Faith to the crossroads.
    â€œWe will probably be back Thursday night, and I will see y’all at school on Friday,” Faith told Mandie and Joe as she started to go on her way.
    Mandie didn’t speak but quickly hugged Faith and then turned to go on down the road toward her house.
    As soon as they were out of sight of Faith, Joe said, “Mandie, Mrs. Chapman will probably get that job, so you might as well get used to the idea.”
    Mandie walked faster. “I know, I know, but I won’t get used to it. I don’t want Faith to move away.”
    Joe kept up with her and was silent until they came to the pathway leading to her house. He handed her books to her. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned to go back up the road toward his house.
    â€œYes,” Mandie said, taking the books and hurrying down the pathway to her house.
    She was trying hard not to cry. She didn’t want Joe Woodard to see the tears in her eyes. “Oh, why can’t Faith and her grandmother keep on living here at Charley Gap?” she mumbled, almost stumbling over Windy, who was coming to meet her. Mandie snatched up the kitten and held her so tight, she protested with a loud meow as Mandie