The Counterfeit Constitution Mystery

while others clung desperately to their parents, as
this was going to be their first trip without them.
Parents were asking last-minute questions, and a
woman with a megaphone was barking orders to get
the children in order.
Mimi held her hands to her cheeks. “There
seems to be hundreds of them!” she exclaimed to
Christina.
Their teachers, Mrs. Hudson and Mrs.
Whatley, heard Mimi and saw the alarm on her face.
Mrs. Hudson had seen it on new chaperones before.
As she approached Mimi, she laughed, stuck out her
hand, and shook Mimi’s with fast, friendly
exuberance. “I know things seem a little crazy right
now, but things will calm down,” she said. “I’m Mrs.
Hudson, and we are so excited to have been chosen
as the winners of your contest!”
Mimi watched as one of the boys ran by and
dangled a gummy worm near Christina’s face.
“Stop that this instant, Thatch, or I’ll call your
parents and have them come and get you!” Mrs.
Hudson warned. She patted her brown hair into place.
Mimi’s eyes narrowed as any grandmother’s
would at an unruly child. She wasn’t prepared for
Mrs. Hudson’s reply.
“Spunky little bugger,” she laughed, her eyes
twinkling. She put her arm through Mimi’s and led
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