Seated behind them was Billy Benson, a red-headed, freckly boy, who despite “not being entirely hideous-looking” as Poppy Noodle put it, was always driving the girls crazy with silly comments and boring questions like, “did you know that there are over 1 billion sheep in the world?”
“You didn’t need to be so…rude,” said Francesca Spaghetti, "he’s only making polite conversation…unlike some people I could name."
“He’s a pain in the neck” replied Poppy Noodle astonished. “He annoys you as much as me. Why are you being so nice about him?”
“I’m just in a good mood, that’s all.” Her eyes directed downwards to an object on her otherwise empty desk. It was hand made from cream-colored card to which a pinky-purply heart had been glued on. Underneath the heart was some scratchy handwriting which said ‘To F. from…’ and it was signed with a question mark. Nothing else, just a question mark.
Poppy Noodle narrowed her eyes. “I get it,” she said. “It’s that Valentine’s Day card, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know what you can mean.” Francesca Spaghetti flicked her long brown hair back over each shoulder.
“You do so. You’re showing off.”
“Anyone would think, Poppy, that you’re jealous of the fact that I got a valentine and you…didn’t.”
“Hah!” said Poppy Noodle. “Me? Jealous? You’re nuts!”
“You’re sure behaving like it,” answered her sister. “I can’t help it if I have an admirer…” She left off letting Poppy Noodle fill in the obvious conclusion for herself.
“I don’t believe for a minute that an ‘admirer’ sent you that card any more than there are seven boys dumb enough to fall for that troublemaker Suzy Q.”
“Don’t be so sour, it’s very unbecoming. I’m sure deep down Suzy will have some admirable qualities.” She looked over at Suzy Q who was waddling around performing an impressive chimpanzee impersonation—complete with ‘ooks’ and head scratching—to the general amusement of her little gang of hornets. “Yes, there, you see…she’s got a charming sense of humor.”
“‘Charming
sense of humor’, ‘unbecoming’, don’t humbug me! You’re just too pleased with yourself…and, besides it was probably Mama and Papa who sent the card anyway.”
“Is that so?” said Francesca Spaghetti, “Then why don’t you have one?”
