Among the Barons

The maid came out of the bathroom.

“Now, don’t you boys be ruining your appetites,” she scolded. “The cooks have been working all day on a fancy welcome — home dinner for you.”

Nothing could have ruined Luke’s appetite. Breakfast back at Hendricks School had been heartier than usual, but that had been hours ago. Still, if Smits didn’t go with him, he wasn’t sure he could find the kitchen. And without Smits he wouldn’t have the nerve to rummage through it, looking for food.

“I’m not hungry anyway,” Smits said.

Luke’s stomach growled. He tried to ignore it. “Want to go outside and play, then? Shoot some hoops or something?”

“Nah,” Smits said. “Outside the trees have ears.”

There were gardeners, Luke guessed. He supposed that Smits was trying to warn him. He supposed that he ought to be grateful.

But what Luke really wanted to do was punch Smits right smack in the nose. It was almost as bad as if Smits really were his brother.