Quotes from Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

They'll have to come back home in their PJs! Beth cried happily. What if they don't wear pajamas? Caroline asked. Then they'll have to come home in their underwear, said Eddie. What if they don't sleep in their underwear? Caroline asked mischievously. Then they'll have to walk home stark naked! said Eddie, and the girls whooped.

I think we should all just lie down beside each other with our arms folded over our chests and die peacefully, Caroline said in a hoarse whisper, ever the actress.

We could all write a farewell note to Mom and Dad, and tell them to give our possessions to the orphans, said Caroline, her voice trembling dramatically.

lie don't seem a lie anymore when it's meant to save a dog, and right and wrong's all mixed up in my head.

Caroline took one look at the box and figured Wally had given her a present in return—something even grosser than cat vomit. She took it to her room, then had second thoughts and took it out to the garage instead. Maybe she should call the bomb squad to open it. It was probably something that would explode in her face.

Are there bears in Western Virginia? she whispered. Cut it out, Caroline, said Eddie. But Beth gave a little gasp. Are there? If there are bears in West Virginia, they're way up in the mountains, Eddie said. Caroline knew that Eddie didn't know what she was talking about any more than Beth knew about bears, but she didn't ask any other questions because she didn't really want to know the answers.

Dad," he said later after all the company had gone and he and his father were picking up the wrapping paper. "Have you ever thought about living somewhere else?" "Where did you have in mind, Wally?" asked his father. "You want me to move down the block, maybe?

It was going to be like this forever and ever, Wally knew. Unless the Bensons came back at the end of the year, the Malloys would probably stay in Buckman, and Wally would have to listen to his brothers talk about them for the rest of this life.

Was Agent XOX to die a drowning death? You let go of her! came Eddie's voice, and suddenly Eddie had one arm, Beth the other, and they were pulling her the other way. Back and forth, back and forth. Secret Agent XOX was going to die a stretching death instead. Torn limb from limb.

She wasn't even supposed to be in fourth grade at all, she was supposed to be in third. Just because she was supposed to be super smart--"precocious," the grown-ups called it--didn't mean he had to like her. Wally began to think that precocious was just about the most awful thing you could possibly be, next to dead.

All that was left of you was this sock, Peter went on in a small voice. Wally decided that if their family ever became poor, they could send Peter out to beg on street corners, because he obviously could wring your heart.

They'll just have to prove they're stronger and bigger and smarter and faster, when they're really dumber than doorbells and slower than snails," said Eddie.

If he went any slower, it would be Monday by the time he got there," said Josh. "If he went any slower, the Malloys could be moved out and back to Ohio," Wally observed.

Caroline didn't know whether she was more angry or excited. Every time the boys did something to them, it just gave the girls an excuse to do something worse.

For your information, Lester, there are at least five wonderful parts of the female body that can be viewed by the owner only with a hand mirror.' And as they stared after me, I went regally back down the hallway and up the stairs to Dad's room.

This always happened. No matter how much Wally tried to stay out of trouble, he didn't.

We're dead," said Wally. "We are cooked! Fried!

We've still got our costume to be working on, because if we don't win that contest, Wally's going to be king and you're going to be his loyal subject. And if that's not enough to make you throw up, I don't know what is.

Caroline did not ask the boys if they were thinking about the time she threw their mother's chocolate chiffon cake in the river because she thought it was a trick. And the Hatfords certainly did not say anything to the girls about what they had done to Mrs. Malloy's pumpkin chiffon pie that the girls had delivered at their mother's instruction. Both mothers seemed to take to chiffon, that was certain.

Good grief! Have some bread with your peanut butter! Mother said, watching Caroline make her lunch. You have enough peanut butter on that bread for three sandwiches, Caroline. Pay attention. Dost thou talk to thy queen in such a manner? Caroline asked, raising one eyebrow. I dost, said Mother. And don't forget to pack some carrots and celery, m'lady.

To the happy couple: I wish you a lifetime of passion, tenderness, and joy. And to my little sis, I want to say, wherever you find yourself, just remember, I've always got your back.

To Wally there was nothing worse than being in a play with Caroline Malloy. Never mind that he would be doing something special for the younger students. He did not want to make primary children happy.

I can't believe this is really happening, Caroline said to Wally, both of them wearing their goblin cloaks and hoods. I'm a real actress at last. Do you know where you'll see my name someday? On a tombstone? said Wally. Caroline flashed him a disgusted look. In lights! On Broadway! Someday you and your brothers will go to the movies and see me up there on the screen. If we see you on the screen, we'll ask for our money back, Wally told her.

I remember how awkward it feels to start school in a new place where you don't know a single person. I know the drill-- how you smile to show others you're friendly and approachable, but you don't impose yourself on anyone, and you try to make friends one at a time until someone invites you to join the group.