“
Well, class,” said Teacher Jane. “As I guess you all know, Valentine’s Day is coming. We’re going to have a valentine party with punch and cookies, and we’re all going to give valentines to each other.”
“Yippee!” cried the class.
“Oh, yeah?” said Sister under her breath. “If she thinks I’m going to send a valentine to that no-good, rotten Billy Grizzwold, she’s got another think coming.” But Sister had another think coming, too. She began to think about what kind of valentine Herbie Cubbison might send her.
She was still thinking about it that night at dinner when the phone rang.
“It’s probably for you, Brother,” said Papa. “So you might as well answer it.”
“That’s right,” said Sister. “It’s probably one of your sweethearts.”
“You cut that out!” said Brother as he went to answer the phone.
“I wish you wouldn’t tease your brother like that,” said Mama.
“Well,” said Sister when Brother returned, “which one of your sweethearts was it, Bonnie, Jill, or Alexis?”
“It was Bonnie, if you must know,” said Brother, “and she was calling about math homework.”
“Uh-huh,” said Sister. “But that’s not the real reason she was calling. The real reason is that Valentine’s Day is coming and she wants to make sure you send her an icky-sticky valentine with lots of kisses.”
“You cut that out!” shouted Brother. “Mama, if she doesn’t cut that out, I’m gonna--”
But the phone rang again.
“It’s probably Jill this time,” said Sister as Brother went to the phone.
”
”