School's Out...Forever! by Kate McMullan Page B

said Janice with a loud snap of her gum. “After DSA, the Knights’ Noble Conservatory will be so boring.”
    â€œGuess what?” said Angus. “I’m staying here.” He didn’t look happy. But he didn’t look that unhappy, either. “Uncle Mordred said Frypot needs an assistant for baking wedding cakes, so he hired me for the job.” He grinned. “Stop by anytime for a meal!”
    â€œBe sure to come visit me at the palace, everybody!” said Erica.
    Janice snapped her gum as she gazed at the practice dragon, scrubbing block, and crumbling turrets of the DSA castle. Then she cried, “Farewell, DSA!” just as the minstrel had predicted.
    â€œGood-bye, Mordred, sir!” called Wiglaf. “Thank you for everything!”
    â€œIt’s Marryin’ Mordie!” the ex-headmaster shouted back. “Got that? Go on, then, all of you.” He gave half a wave. “And don’t come back—till you’re engaged!”

Chapter 12
    W iglaf and his friends hugged Brother Dave. Then they walked across the DSA drawbridge one last time.
    Janice waved and started up Huntsman’s Path toward the Knights’ Noble Conservatory.
    Wiglaf looked around. He saw Queen Barb sitting on a grassy hillock not far from the royal carriage. Next to her sat Queen Marge, her golden hairnet sparkling in the afternoon sun. And there, to his great surprise, was his mother, sitting on the grass and talking to the queens!
    Wiglaf and the others drew near, but the queens and Molwena were deep in conversation and paid them no attention.
    â€œI could not help but notice your fine, yellow-haired sons at the graduation,” Queen Marge was saying to Molwena. “How many sons have you?”
    â€œThirteen.” Molwena smiled. “Stocky, yellow-hairedlads, just like my Fergus. Except for Wiglaf. Who he takes after, I’m sure I don’t know.”
    â€œHe does seem different from his brothers,” said Queen Marge. She paused. “Molwena, have you ever been to the Pinwick Fair?” she asked.
    â€œWe never miss it!” exclaimed Molwena. “Why, the year Wiggie was a babe in arms, there was a two-headed calf!”
    â€œWe saw it!” said Queen Marge. “In fact, Homer bought that two-headed calf.” She turned to Queen Barb. “Do you remember what a scare we had that afternoon?”
    â€œDo I ever!” cried Queen Barb. “Your nursemaid put baby Rex down under a shade tree and sneaked off to watch the juggler. Careless girl! Imagine, leaving a newborn all alone.”
    Rex stuck his head out the carriage window. “Stop talking, Mumsy!” he shouted. “I want to go home NOW!”
    â€œIn a moment, Rexie!” called Queen Marge. She turned back to Molwena. “I know this is an odd question. Perchance, did you put your baby down while at the fair?” she asked.
    â€œThat I did,” said Molwena. “Oof, was he heavy. Such a big, strapping baby, Wiglaf was. Funny how he’s turned outso skinny. All me other boys are sturdy as oak trees.”
    â€œLike me!” Dudwin piped up.
    Molwena smiled. “I put baby Wiglaf down to nap under a shade tree, too,” she went on. “I remember, for I went off to see the fire-eaters!”
    Queen Marge nodded. “Your Wiglaf,” she said, “has hair the color of carrots. Does anyone else in your family have hair like that?”
    â€œOh no,” said Molwena. “Only Wiglaf is so unfortunate.”
    Queen Marge took off her crown and laid it in her lap. “In my family,” she said, loosening her golden hairnet, “we’re all carrot-tops.” She pulled off the hairnet, and long, orange tresses fell down upon her shoulders.
    â€œZounds!” exclaimed Molwena. “’Tis no wonder you wear that hairnet!”
    Wiglaf stared at Queen Marge. He had never seen another living soul with hair the color of his.