Mary Pope Osborne - Magic Tree House 46 Read Online Free Page A

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 lovesplants 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