But she didn’t want him to walk into the classroom and become the center of the story.

She wanted adults to examine the report.

Ben understood why that mattered.

He’d spent evenings helping Clara prepare it.

Sometimes she asked thoughtful questions.

Sometimes funny ones.

Once, she asked whether Scout received a paycheck.

Ben explained that working dogs receive care, food, veterinary support, training, and equipment, not a paycheck like a person.