Don ducked his head into his office and smiled. "Are you kids enjoying yourselves?"

The kids nodded in agreement.

"Oh yeah!"

"Uh huh..."
"Yep!"
"Yum!"

"Good! Well when you finish up, I'll drive you home. I'm sure your parents are worried."

A collective gasp followed.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Alex lied.

"Okay. Well, we'd better get going." Don said. "Where do you live?"

"They say they live on Waverly." Peggy said, appearing at Don's office door.

Don grinned. "Really? We're neighbors, then."

"Right... Neighbors." Alex said, turning to Harper, Max and Justin.

"You know, that's okay, Mr. Draper. You don't have to drive us home."

"Um... what Justin means..." Harper explained. "Is that we can get home on our own!"

"All right, if you're sure." Don said.

"We're sure." Alex nodded. "Wait! What am I thinking? I can't go home!"

"Alex, what are you talking about?"

"Harper, what about our assignment? Mr. Laritate, Mom and Dad will kill me if I fail!"

"What assignment?" Don asked.

"I have to bring a toy to school and if I don't, Mr. Laritate will fail me and I won't graduate!"

"Don't you have toys at home?"

Alex looked at her brothers and best friend and feigned tears, anxious to take advantage of the situation. "I did, but our mom got rid of them all!"

"Alex, Alex, Alex, it's all right." Justin said as the three kids moved toward her, hugging her sympathetically.

"Don't cry, Alex. We love you." Max said.

"Come on Alex. We'll think of something when we get home." Justin said.

"Hopefully Mr. Laritate won't fail you too badly."

"Thank you for the milk and cookies, Mr. Draper." Harper said as they walked out of the room.

"Hold it." Don said.

They turned to see him looking at them thoughtfully.

"Why don't the three of you come with me?"

Harper swallowed hard. "Oh no... I think we're in big trouble."