offer advice if they were having difficulties with their teachers. The final 's' was the most powerful: it came from the fact that she acted like a poisonous snake coiled around her books, protecting them from all-comers and hissing “Ssssssstop doing that!” if ever she caught anyone misusing a book.
The pupils who used the library loved playing with Mrs Agnesssi's name. They even sometimes increased the number of 's's to five, but five were difficult to count! The extra two 's's stood for 'scrummy sandwiches' because Mrs Agnesssi allowed herself the unique privilege of bringing food into the library. The wonderful, fresh smell of her sandwiches pervaded everywhere, making all the readers feel desperately hungry.
The children were just turning away from the library entrance in disappointment when Pythagoras appeared. He was slinking along with his head bowed as if he didn't want to be noticed.
The children waved to try to attract his attention. “Hey, Mr Pythagoras,” Gelio called softly.
But Pythagoras wasn't at all happy at having been spotted. “I really can't stop,” he said grumpily. “I don't have time right now.”