"Well," said Mrs. Diamonte to her half-listening family, "either you go through your rooms and help me with the attic and cellar, or I do it all myself and don't come crying to me if something you wanted gets thrown out."

"Right after dinner, dear," said her husband.

"Mom, don't you dare throw out any of my things!" said Debbie. She got up angrily and stomped out of the room, went into her bedroom and slammed the door for effect. Then she called her best friend.

"Uh-huh," said Danny. He depended on Mike the gorilla to later tell him what his mother had said.