Harry quickly turned from staring out the classroom window when he heard Miss Brown call his name. It was painfully obvious from the laughter in the classroom that Miss Brown had been trying to get his attention for some time. Looking up, he could see her frowning down at him with that What am I going to do with you? look on her face.

Miss Brown looked about the room and the class immediately quieted. Then, with a slight smile, she asked if Harry would like to be her reader for today's story.

He loved reading. Enthusiastically, Harry responded, "Yes, I would, Miss Brown."

"Today's reading is a revised story originally written by Thomas Day in a book called The History of Sandford and Merton," said Miss Brown. Mr. Day was born in London, England in 1748. I hope you like it." She nodded to Harry, "You may begin."

Rich Man / Poor Man

Harry finished the story just as the ending school bell rang. He returned the book to Miss Brown, said, "Thank you," and hurried for the door.

But Miss Brown called out, "Wait a minute, Harry! Your father called the school and asked us to tell you not to ride the bus home today. He'll pick you up at the front gate. Do you understand? Don't take the bus home; you'll be picked up at the front gate."

"Yes, I understand," said Harry and again rushed for the door.

Miss Brown called, "Harry, thank you for reading today. You did a fine job."

Harry smiled broadly and rushed for the door.

When Harry got outside, he watched his classmates board their buses, pile into cars with smiling parents, or walk toward their nearby homes.

He put his backpack down by the school gate and looked up and down the road for his father's car. When he glanced back at his pack lying on the grass, he noticed dozens of ants beginning to climb up its dark green sides. He quickly grabbed the pack and shook off the ants.

"I must have put my pack near an ant hill," thought Harry and he began looking for its entrance.

Before he could locate the entrance to the ant hill, Harry heard a car horn. He turned to see his father waiting for him. He scrambled for the car, checked once more for any ants, and jumped into the front seat by his dad.

"How was school today?" asked his father.

"Great! Miss Brown chose me to be reader today. She's nice."

"Good for you. Tell me about what you read."

Harry began to tell his father all about the poor man's adventure.

After Harry finished re-telling the story about the rich man's change of heart, he realized they weren't driving home.

"Where are we going?" asked Harry.

"We're picking up your cousin, Tommy, from the airport. His parents are having some problems and they've asked if he could live with us for a few days. I'm wondering how we can help him feel at home with us. Do you have any ideas?"

Harry was silent for quite a while and then said, "He can sleep in my room and I'll sleep on the couch in the living room."