Norbert who sprinted past Fletcher who jogged away from Felix Miranda didn’t think this looked fun because she didn’t like running or screaming screaming But Felix and Donut were grinning It was hard to tell how Norbert and Fletcher felt because they were moving so fast Miranda looked back up at Maude Some people people find it fun I guess Just like we like swinging I guess Maude shrugged and pointed down to Hillary Greenlight-Miller who was as usual walking across the balance beam There’s Hillary balancing of course Miranda quickly admired Hillary’s excellent balance What are they doing Maude pointed to a grassy spot in the middle of the playground where their classmates Agnes Agatha and Desdemona were lying on their backs holding soccer balls in the air Probably playing one of Desdemona’s animal animal games Miranda said At that moment Donut who was still trying to avoid getting tagged ran past the girls 4
Desdemona jumped up Girl tag she shouted Donut turned around but kept jogging No he hollered No girl tag Girl tag is forbidden Maude slowed her swing What did Donut say She looked at Miranda Miranda gulped Maude’s question sounded a lot like the ones on the morning practice exam tricky and without a clear answer I think Donut just forbade Desdemona from playing tag because she’s a girl Maude screeched We might be soaring thousands of feet in the air but I have excellent hearing and 5
my ears are super-duper clean because I took a bath last night and a shower this morning because I forgot about my bath until I was in the shower The playground is so loud I’m not sure I heard what Donut said Miranda said quietly I am Maude said And without bothering to come to a complete stop and thus breaking rule fifty-two in the Official Rules of Mountain River Valley Elementary she flew off her swing and ran over to Desdemona 6
2 WE CAN’T STAND FOR THIS We can’t stand for this Maude shrieked to Desdemona Agatha and Agnes who were now all standing up Stand for what Desdemona dribbled her ball toward Agatha very slowly We’re playing sloth soccer For this unjustness Donut has forbidden you from playing tag Maude hollered Because you’re a girl Desdemona leisurely lifted the ball with her foot He did Yes When he ran past you Miranda heard it too Maude looked at Miranda who hesitated then nodded slowly Desdemona shrugged Oh That wasn’t nice but soccer is better And sloth soccer is the best In slow motion she kicked the ball to Agnes That’s not the point Maude said 7
