Final answer:
Joey was not paying attention while Mrs. Maxey was talking because he overheard something being said about him by someone else.
Step-by-step explanation:
Joey was not paying attention while Mrs. Maxey was talking because he overheard something that was said about him by someone else.
In the story, Bernice overhears Marjorie talking about her to her mother, which causes her to become distracted and lose focus on Mrs. Maxey's conversation.
This incident has sparked Joey's curiosity and emotional response, leading him to zone out and think about what he heard.