"SPELL CHAMPION," Scott told his older sister. "C－h－a－m－p－i－o－n."
Unsure about it, Scott still cheered, "You'll 1 the spelling bee!"
Lucy thanked, happy but 2 , wondering if her dog, Senator, who she got for her 11th birthday and never away from her for a week, would be looked after well.
"We'll keep him perfectly," said Scott, dreaming of getting his own pet if he could 3 himself.
The loudspeaker in the railway station announced the upcoming departure (出发). Dad wished Lucy good luck, "If you make the 4 , we'll come to see you."
"See you in a w－e－a－k."
"W－e－e－k," Lucy 5 Scott and said, "Bye!"
Each morning Scott woke up early to feed Senator, leaving a note to 6 Dad, after that Scott continued to sleep. Scott even gave Senator a timely bath, during which he hoped Dad could notice how responsible (负责任的) he was with unwilling Senator.
Halfway Lucy 7 back to tell her failure in the second round (轮次) and asked, "How's Senator doing?"
"Excellent!" Scott replied proudly.
A week later, Lucy returned, but she found the dogs sick.
"He only started feeling sick this morning." Scott felt ashamed but 8 , for he'd been a strict direction-follower.
They came to the veterinarian's (动物诊所). After the 9 , Lucy was angry, "A terrible 10 ! How could Senator have such a 11 two pounds in weight?"
Dad said, "I only fed him two scoops of dog food every morning."
Scott shouted, "Dad! You fed him again? Didn't you read my note? It says I've fed him!"
It took Lucy a moment to understand before asking Scott how to spell fed.
"F-e-e-d? Scott! Fed is spelled f-e-d. But your note says f－e－e－d, telling Dad to feed the dog!"
"So Senator was fed twice?" Dad asked, "But why did he 12 seem hungry?"
"All is fish that comes to his net!" Lucy looked down at Senator who was wagging his tail.
Scott said sorry, "I just wanted to be responsible so I could get a dog for my next birthday."
"It's OK. I'll teach you how to spell correctly and 13 myself for next year's spelling bee." Lucy handed Scott the red leash (绳子) to walk Senator.
"You have a few months to 14 before you get one for your birthday." Dad added.
Scott burst into laughter and reached down to pet Senator 15 .
"Having a little brother isn't so bad," Lucy told Senator, "if you show him who's the b-o-s-s!"
