Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Peter’s father is excited because Mr. and Mrs. Yarby, clients who own the large Juicy-O beverage company, are visiting New York. He invites them to stay in the Hatcher apartment instead of a hotel because “He thought they’d be more comfortable” (8), although Peter’s mother disagrees. Nonetheless, she moves Fudge’s crib into Peter’s room to prepare the nursery as a guest room.

Mrs. Hatcher cooks and cleans extensively in preparation for the Yarby’s visit. Ever mischievous, Fudge eats two flowers from the centerpiece set for dinner in the living room, which upsets his mother and necessitates a call to the pediatrician. Mrs. Yarby fusses over Fudge and gives him a windup train. She gives Peter a picture dictionary that is a duplicate of a book he used at age four; nonetheless; he thanks her politely. Fudge embarrasses Mrs. Yarby when he shows her Peter’s worn-out copy of the same book.

Fudge reappears at the dinner table and holds Dribble under the nose of Mrs. Yarby, an excitable woman who dislikes reptiles. Mr. Yarby calls Peter’s father “HATCHER!” (17), which makes Peter uncomfortable, and demands that the turtle be removed. The Yarbys, a childless couple, expound on the importance of teaching manners to children.