Doc is attempting to teach Peekay how to read for both meaning and information, and to make margin notes. This causes him to take Peekay to frequent trips to the Barbertown library. In one of these schene at the library, the reader is introduced to Mrs. Boxall with, “...where Mrs Boxall would give a great sigh when the two of us walked in. 'Here come the messpots!' She claimed she had to spend hours erasing the pencilled margin notes in the books we borrowed.” (88) This quotation is the first taste we get of Mrs. Boxalls attitude. However it is not particularly accurate, as in this situation, she is simply giving the boys a hard time. Peekay later explains how he beliefs she does not mind the margins. But this quote also shows us in a way that
