Mary Pope Osborne - Magic Tree House 46 (5 page)

“C
ome on, hurry,” said Annie, pulling on her shoes.

“But we have to look in our book,” said Jack, “and try to figure out—”

“Let’s look after we talk to Brother Michael,” said Annie. “He’s leaving soon. And I have a feeling that he—or someone else here—is going to help us.”

“Let’s hope,” said Jack.

Still sore from the avalanche, Jack limped a
little as he followed Annie out of their room. They passed all the closed doors lining the long torch-lit hallway, until finally they came to the parlor. From the dining hall, they could hear the clinking of silverware and china, but no voices.

Jack and Annie peered into the room and saw about forty monks sitting on benches on either side of a long table. Brother Michael waved from one end. The other monks didn’t even look up. They all kept their heads bowed as they silently finished eating their noontime meal.

Jack and Annie crossed the dining hall, weaving among a dozen Saint Bernards resting with their heads on their paws. None of them had Barry’s crazy energy.

Jack and Annie sat at the end of a bench across from Brother Michael. One of the other monks served them bread and butter, bowls of porridge, and cups of hot tea.

Jack took a sip of the milky, sweet tea. Then he leaned across the table to Brother Michael.
“Excuse me,” he whispered, “but is there another place in these mountains—a place not too far from here—where we might find flowers?”

Brother Michael looked thoughtful. Then he shook his head. “Certainly not now. It has been a very cold spring. But a month from now, at a lower altitude, you will definitely find flowers.”

“Not until a month from now?” said Jack.

“I am afraid not,” said Brother Michael. He smiled curiously at Jack. “You must love flowers very much.”

Jack didn’t know what to say. How could he possibly explain that they had to find a white and yellow flower and live its meaning for an hour to help break a spell to save Merlin’s penguin, who’d been turned to stone by a young sorcerer in Camelot?

“Um … yes, I do like them,” said Jack.

“Perhaps you could go on a climbing trip with Father Laurent if you come back this way in the summer,” said Brother Michael. “He also loves
plants and flowers and is an expert on the flora of the Alps.”

Jack nodded. He picked up a chunk of bread and took a small bite.
That would be great,
he thought,
except we can’t wait!
His only hope was that their research book could help them somehow.

By now, all the monks were getting up from the table. The Saints quietly followed them out of the dining hall. As Jack ate his bread and watched everyone leave, Barry bounded out of the kitchen.
He grabbed the last bite of bread right out of Jack’s hand and gulped it down!

“Hey!” said Jack.

Annie burst out laughing. “Barry! You thief!” she cried.

Without a word, Brother Michael grabbed Barry by the collar. But the dog broke loose from the monk and ran around the room. He went down on his forelegs. He barked his happy, booming bark, as if daring them to catch him.

Annie laughed again.

Brother Michael sighed. “I apologize for the theft of your bread,” he said to Jack. “May I get you some more?”

“No, no, it’s okay,” said Jack.

Barry’s barks shook the dining hall.

“Excuse me, I will take him to the kitchen,” Brother Michael said. He grabbed Barry by the collar again. This time he held on tight and pulled him into the kitchen.

The dining hall was empty now, except for Jack and Annie. “Listen, we can’t waste any more time,” said Jack, rising from the table. “I’m going back to our room to read about flora and fauna of the Alps.”

“I’ll go with you,” said Annie.

As Jack and Annie were leaving, Brother Michael came out of the kitchen alone. “I apologize for Barry,” he said, frowning. “He will be leaving us tomorrow.”

“Why? Where’s he going?” asked Annie.

“Down to a house in the valley,” said the monk.

“But he seems so happy here,” said Annie.

“Oh, he is
very
happy here,” said Brother Michael. “Too happy. It will break his heart to leave.”

“So why does he have to leave?” said Annie.

“Because he has a very independent spirit, and none of us has the time to give him the extra training he needs,” said Brother Michael.

“Well, what if
I
try to train him?” said Annie.

“What?” Jack looked at her in surprise.

“No, really. I can do it,” Annie said. She turned back to the monk. “You can give that job to me. I know about training dogs. And I’m really good with animals. Right, Jack?”

“Yeah, but—” said Jack.

“Please, let me try,” Annie said to Brother Michael.

“You are very kind. However—” Brother Michael was interrupted by howling from the kitchen. The monk shook his head. “Listen to him! He will cry night and day if he has to leave us. And Father Laurent shall miss him terribly.…” He paused and looked at Annie. “Perhaps we should give him one more chance, if you really think you can handle him. Shall I put him in your charge today, and we will see what training you can give him?”

“Yes!” said Annie.

“Good. Then I will bring him to you,” said Brother Michael, and he headed back to the kitchen.

“Are you nuts?” Jack whispered to Annie. “You don’t know how to train a crazy dog like that.”

“Actually, I
do,
” said Annie. “For your information, I just read a book on training dogs. I even wrote a book report about it.”

“But you haven’t had any practice,” said Jack. “And even if you had, we don’t have time now. What about saving Penny? Did you forget our mission?”

“No. I was thinking this would give us an excuse to stay here longer,” said Annie.

“Yeah … okay,” said Jack. “But stay for
what
? Brother Michael said there are no flowers around here now. We’d have to stay for a month.”

“Okay, okay,” said Annie. “Listen, what about the magic potion? We can change into anything we want for an hour.”

“Yeah. So … ?” said Jack.

“Well … do you think we could wish to change into something like … like official finders of white and yellow flowers?” asked Annie.

“No, that’s—” said Jack.

“Stupid, yeah,” said Annie. “So let’s think.”

Before they had time to think, Brother Michael came out of the kitchen. He was carrying monks’ robes and had Barry on a leash.

The huge dog dragged Brother Michael over to Jack and Annie, swinging his tail and barking with excitement.

“You can work with him in the enclosed yard,” said Brother Michael. He pointed to a door off the dining hall. “And you may want to wear these over your clothes, as it’s quite cold outside.” He handed them the monks’ robes.

Jack and Annie pulled on the robes and tied the rope belts around their waists. Then they lifted their hoods over their heads.

“Perfect!” said Annie. “Much warmer!”

“Good,” said Brother Michael. “He’s all yours!” He handed Barry’s leash to Jack. Jack gripped it with both hands as the big dog tugged on the other end.

“All of us will be gone from the monastery for the afternoon,” said Brother Michael. “If you take a walk, you must not let Barry off the leash. Whatever you do, do not let him run freely outside. I am certain he would dash off to explore the mountains and get lost in the snow.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll keep him in the yard,” said Annie.

“I am very grateful for your help,” said Brother Michael. “Perhaps this will even assist you with your research about the Alps.”

“I’ll bet it will,” said Annie. “Well, good-bye. Good luck!”

Brother Michael smiled. “I fear
you
are the ones who will need luck today,” he said. “Be good, Barry.” Then the rosy-faced monk hurried off to catch up with the others.

“Okay! Let’s get started!” said Annie. “Come on, Barry!” She threw open the door to a snowy yard surrounded by a rock wall.

Barry instantly lurched toward the yard.

“Arrgh!” cried Jack as the dog nearly yanked his arms off.

B
arry dragged Jack out the door of the dining hall into the yard. The air was cold and damp. The sky was gray, and the mountain peaks were shrouded in mist.

“Barry, sit!” said Annie.

But Barry didn’t sit. Instead, he put his nose to the ground and pulled Jack all around the yard. He smelled the snow and the rock walls. Then he raised his head and closed his eyes, sniffing the air.

What does he smell?
Jack wondered. Jack
couldn’t smell anything in the cold mountain air.

Annie ran to Jack and Barry and scratched Barry behind his ear. “Come on, Barry! Let’s get to work!” she said with enthusiasm.

The big dog opened his eyes and wagged his tail. His whole body seemed to be wagging.

“Now, Barry, to start with, you have to learn three commands,” Annie said. “
Come, sit,
and
stay.
”

Barry sneezed as if to say,
No problem!

Annie turned to Jack. “When he obeys a command, we give him lots of praise. We should act really positive and upbeat. That’s what my book said.”

Jack rolled his eyes.

“Positive,” Annie repeated. “Upbeat. Let’s start with
come.
I’ll hold him. You walk away and then stop and say, ‘
Come, Barry!
’ ”

Jack sighed and handed Annie the leash. She struggled to keep Barry with her as Jack walked about twenty feet away. Jack turned and said,
“Come, Barry!”
Annie let go of the leash. Barry charged toward Jack. When he reached him, he jumped up and put his paws on Jack’s shoulders. Jack fell backward into the snow.

“Oww!” said Jack.

“Good dog!” Annie said, clapping.

Barry leaned over and slurped his tongue across Jack’s face and ears.

“Yuck! Stop, stop!” said Jack. He scrambled to his feet before Barry could give him more sloppy kisses.

Annie ran over and patted Barry as she repeated, “Good dog, good dog.”

Barry’s eyes were bright and happy. He panted with short quick breaths, as if he were laughing.

“
Good
dog?” said Jack. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Yes! He did what you said! You said
‘come,’
and he came!” said Annie. “Come on, Jack. Positive! Upbeat!”

“Oh, sorry,” said Jack, wiping his ears with his sleeve. “I love your slobber, Barry. It’s my favorite thing.”

“Okay, say that all over again, but use a happy voice,” said Annie.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Jack. “Come on, let’s move along.”

“Right,” said Annie. “I think he’s got
come.
Here, take the leash back, and we’ll do
sit.
Ready, Barry?
Sit!
”

Annie pushed down on Barry’s rear end, and Barry sat. “Good dog!” Annie said. “Now pull the leash up, Jack, so he lifts his head.”

Jack tugged on the leash, pulling Barry’s head up. The Saint Bernard looked into Jack’s eyes. Then he leapt up and licked Jack’s face with his huge pink tongue. Jack yelped and fell backward again into the snow.

Before Barry could pounce on him, Jack scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping on his robe. “Oh, man!” he said to Barry. “What is wrong with you?”