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

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. Jackcouldn’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