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“Whelp,” said Nim. “Joe and Jake are both grounded.”
Lil cocked her head at Nim. “Grounded? What does that mean?”
Nim shrugged.
“Oh, I know what grounded means,” said Pepper.
“You do?” asked Nim.
“Sure! Frannie was grounded from her computer a few days ago. I think it must have been contaminated, because she couldn’t touch it for two whole days. Her mom told her she couldn’t even look at it.”
“Hm,” said Nim. “Well, the boys’ mom left me a note asking me to stay away so the boys would start being nicer to each other, so I’m a free elf tonight!”
“Oh!” squealed Pepper. “You can come with me and meet Lucile. See what you think of her.”
Nim stared thoughtfully at Pepper. “Yes…that’s a great idea, Pepper! Maybe we’ll figure out what these giraffalopes are and where they came from.”
***
“Er, Lucile?” Pepper frowned. “What are you doing?”
Lucile, who had been pulling and prying at the dog kennel door, turned wide eyes on Pepper and Nim.
“Well, you see, I’m helping Charlie. He wants out.”
Pepper’s frown deepened. “But Lucile, Charlie is to stay in his kennel overnight. Otherwise, he’ll make messes.”
“Oh no, he would never. He’s already assured me that he will be a perfect model of—oh, who are you?”
Lucile stared blankly at Nim, noticing him for the first time.
“The name’s Nim. Great to meet you, Lucile. Do you by chance know Leonard?”
“Leonard? Why yes he’s my—,” Her eyes grew and grew. “That is, no. Never heard of him.”
With that cryptic reply, Lucile spun on her hooves and disappeared down the hall just as the kennel door snapped open and Charlie burst free.
“NOOOOO!” cried Pepper. “Hold the cage open Nim!”
Pepper raced around the room, trying to herd Charlie back into the kennel while Nim held the door open. They’d just about succeeded in getting him back in when he made another break for it, knocking both Pepper and Nim back into the cage.
“Charlie! No!” yelled Pepper watching in horror as the frightened dog bonked into the bookcase, causing books to cascade down and block the kennel door shut…with two surprised elves inside.
The Book entry: “If a family pet is in a cage, do not under ANY circumstances let said pet out!”
a pinch of homestead 