The Best School Year Ever

Louella and Howard’s mother takes a part-time job at the phone company. When Howard’s babysitter quits, Mrs. McCluskey gets special permission for Louella to bring young Howard with her to school for a few days while she finds a new sitter. Louella is worried about trying to supervise Howard, especially with Imogene in the same class, so she brings the toddler to school on a leash. Miss Kemp objects to this arrangement, but eventually gives in. Imogene mentions that they kept Claude on a leash for a while because the family had no dog. Alice says that she imagines Claude eventually got tired of it. She makes it clear that she does not think Howard has the same independent spirit and imagines that he will be perfectly happy on a leash. Alice thinks that Howard is stupid because he has not yet learned to read, but Louella points out that he is a toddler and is not yet even toilet trained.

Most of the sixth-grade students grow fond of Howard and help to keep him occupied, but Alice continues to criticize him. She mocks the security blanket that Howard carries. Beth agrees that the blanket is tattered and dirty, but Louella assures them that it is necessary: Howard will throw a tantrum if he does not have it.