The Cybil War by Betsy Byars

reflected, Simon thought, the same helpless fury he himself felt.
    â€œSecond contestant—T-Bone Newton.”
    Simon managed to get the pirate’s hat on T-Bone and lead him forward.
    â€œHe should get a prize,” Cybil whispered as they passed. “He looks just like Long John Silver.”
    â€œThank you,” Simon muttered.
    He led T-Bone to the steps and back into place. “I wish I’d thought to bring a little baby bottle,” Tony said. “That would clinch it for me.” He bent down to straighten Miss Vicki’s cap, and it was then that he noticed Miss Vicki had wet her diaper.
    He straightened abruptly. “I got to get out of here.”
    â€œNext contestant—Miss Vicki Angotti!” Harriet called from the steps.
    â€œMiss Vicki’s withdrawing,” Tony called quickly. He said to Simon, “She wet her diaper. Let’s get out of here.”
    â€œNobody will notice,” Simon said loudly. He counted on the sharp eyes of Billy Bonfili to catch the accident. “Go on!” He shoved Tony forward.
    â€œHurry up, ” Harriet called. “We’ve got seventeen contestants in this event.”
    Billy Bonfili stepped over to see what the trouble was. “Hey, he can’t come because his dog wet her diaper,” he yelled happily.
    Simon sighed, stepping back slightly to avoid being involved in the incident.
    â€œShut up, Bonfili,” Tony said.
    â€œAnybody got an extra Pampa?” Billy called. “Tony needs one baaaad. His dog had a little aaaccident.”
    â€œLay off, Bonfili,” Tony said.
    â€œIt does make the costume authentic,” Cybil commented. She grinned and crossed her eyes.
    Tony turned from side to side like a bear beset by dogs. Then he yanked Miss Vicki up beneath his arm. “Let’s get out of here,” he said to Simon.
    â€œI don’t want to. T-Bone might win a prize.”
    â€œNo way. These things are rigged. Harriet’s going to give the prizes to her friends. It was stupid of us to come. Let’s go .”
    â€œI’m staying.”
    Tony glared at him. “Suit yourself,” he snapped.
    Tony shoved his way through the crowd. He went behind a bush and removed Miss Vicki’s diaper and cap. Then he came out, pulling her by her leash.
    â€œHey,” Billy called, “you forgot something behind that bush. Why, it’s a little, tiny wet dog diaper.”
    Now that her clothes had been removed, Miss Vicki—perhaps out of gratitude—was trying to say her prayers.
    Tony glanced behind him to see what the trouble was with Miss Vicki. “You are not praying,” He jerked the leash as she again tried to put her head between her paws. “No praying!”
    The crowd around Harriet’s porch watched in pleased silence as Tony Angotti, head down, walked out of sight, dragging the prayerful Miss Vicki behind him.

That Was Cybil Ackerman
    S imon was sitting in his living room after the pet show. He was slumped on the sofa, staring straight ahead. His emotions were so strong that he was surprised his mother was not questioning him about them. He felt he must reek of pleasure like an onion. He could not wipe the smile off his face.
    Simon felt, he decided, a little like that prehistoric fish must have felt, millions of years ago, when he noticed he had tiny legs and decided to try to step out of the water. That first weak step which probably left him jammed in the slime on his belly must have seemed at the time like a useless and stupid thing. Just as his own step today seemed useless and stupid, childish even.
    â€œSo much for walking,” the fish probably said, writhing back to the sea.
    â€œI will not writhe backward,” Simon said to himself. His smile broadened. He felt better than he had felt in a long time.
    Suddenly Cybil Ackerman appeared at the screen door. The sight of her there caused Simon to leap up like a puppet. His feet