The Disappearing Friend Mystery (2 page)
“We also are proud that a very wealthy person, who wishes to remain anonymous, has offered to match the amount of money we raise.”
“So if you raise a thousand dollars, they'll give you a thousand dollars, too?” said Violet.
“That's right.” Mr. Alvarez nodded. “So any money you give will count for twice as much.”
“That's great!” Henry said. “But whom do we give the money to?”
“You can give it to me. I'll give you a receipt, and the money will go into the Hospital Building fund at the bank.”
“Thank you,” said Jessie. “We're going to start earning money tomorrow.”
Mr. Alvarez smiled. He didn't seem quite as upset as he had when the Aldens had first come into his office. “Your donation will be greatly appreciated,” he said.
The Aldens left the hospital and rode slowly home through the late afternoon shadows.
“I wonder why that red-haired doctor was so angry,” said Jessie as they pedaled down the street.
“Maybe she's from Silver City,” suggested Violet.
Jessie said thoughtfully, “But you would think a doctor would be glad to have a new wing on a hospital, no matter where it was built.”
“Yes,” said Henry. “It is very puzzling. But I don't see how she can stop the new wing from being built, especially if it's already been voted on and decided.”
“We'll ask Grandfather tonight at dinner,” said Henry. “He might know.”
Benny had ridden ahead. Now he looked back over his shoulder. “Let's race home!” he cried. “One, two, three, go!” He took off, pedaling as fast as he could.
“Hey, Benny,” shouted Henry, “no fair! You got a head start!” But he and Jessie and Violet began to pedal as fast as they could, too. The four Aldens raced into the driveway of the big old place where they lived. Benny got to the house first.
“I won, I won,” he cried gleefully.
“You sure did,” said Violet, chuckling. “Come on, let's get ready for dinner.”
Laughing, the Aldens went into the house.
“W
hat have you been doing today?” asked Grandfather as they were finishing dinner that evening.
“We went shopping for Mrs. McGregor,” Henry answered. “And we met someone new.”
“A new friend?” Grandfather Alden smiled.
“She's coming tomorrow to see our boxcar,” Benny said.
“And to meet Watch, Benny, don't forget,” Jessie teased. “Her name is Beth Simon, and her family just moved into town, Grandfather. She's going to help us with a project.”
“That sounds interesting,” said Grandfather.
“We're going to help raise money for a new wing for the hospital,” explained Violet. “At the grocery store we saw a sign asking people to donate money.”
“An excellent idea.” Grandfather nodded approvingly. “The hospital needs a new wing. Having it will help many people.”
“But, Grandfather,” said Jessie, “we went by the hospital today, to find out more about the fund-raising. We spoke to Mr. Alvarez, who's in charge. While we were there, we heard a doctor arguing with him about the new wing.”
“Yes,” Henry said. “She was very angry. She said Silver City needed a new hospital more than the Greenfield Hospital needed a new wing.”
Grandfather's eyebrows drew together. “Some people did feel that way, when the new wing was first proposed,” he said. “But the County Board finally decided that it would be better to have one big hospital all in one place. With two small hospitals, they would always need to buy two of everything. But with one big hospital, more money could be spent on the latest medical equipment.”
“That makes sense,” said Jessie thoughtfully. “I wonder why that doctor was so angry.”
“Anyway, we're going to start a helping service,” said Violet. “We will baby-sit, wash cars, run errands, and do whatever else people want done.”
“And maybe we'll have a bake sale,” said Benny.
Then the Aldens all began to talk at once, telling their grandfather about Beth's idea and the posters they planned to make and all the jobs they could do.
Grandfather laughed. “It all sounds good. But, meanwhile, why don't we go to the ice cream parlor for dessert? Is that a good idea?”
Benny bounced in his chair. “It's a great idea, Grandfather!”
Soon the Alden family was driving along the quiet streets of Greenfield. Grandfather parked the car and they headed toward the ice cream parlor, with Benny leading the way.
“We can put posters in all these stores,”said Henry as they walked down Main Street.
“I'm sure you will have requests for all kinds of jobs,” said Grandfather.
In the ice cream parlor, several tables were full. But the Aldens found one near the corner. After a few minutes, the waitress came to take their order.
Henry had a double-scoop cone of chocolate chip mint. Jessie had peach ice cream with whipped cream in a bowl. Violet chose plain blackberry sherbet. She liked it because it was almost the shade of violets, her favorite color. Grandfather had one scoop of vanilla with chocolate syrup. Benny asked for a banana split.
“Can you eat all that?” asked Grandfather.
“I'll try very hard,” Benny promised, laughing.
“Okay,” said Grandfather. “And I'll help you if you have trouble.”
“Okay,” said Benny.
Just then, Jessie saw a familiar figure. “Look! There's Beth.”
The Aldens turned and saw Beth standing at the counter. Her dark brown hair was pulled back with a red headband and she was wearing a skirt and a red-striped T-shirt.
Jessie jumped up. “I'll go get her and then you can meet her, Grandfather,” she said.
Beth had just finished talking to the young woman behind the counter as Jessie came up. “Yes,” the woman said. “That's plenty for four people.”
“Then that's exactly what I want,” said Beth.
“Hi, Beth,” said Jessie.
Beth quickly turned around. She looked startled. “Oh!”
“Are you buying ice cream for your family, too?” asked Jessie.
“Yes,” said Beth.
“While they're getting it ready, come meet our grandfather,” Jessie suggested happily.
“But, well, my ice cream will melt,” Beth objected.
“You'll be back by the time they have it ready,” promised Jessie, leading Beth toward the table where all the Aldens were sitting.
“This is our grandfather, James Henry Alden,” said Jessie. “Grandfather, this is Beth Simon.”
Grandfather stood up. “Welcome to Greenfield, Beth. Would you like to join us?”
“No. Uh, I mean, no, thank you. Um, I can't.” Beth said quickly. “I have to go. Good-bye.”
She hurried back to the counter, although her order wasn't quite ready.
“I'll write out the directions to our house on this napkin,” said Violet. “Just so she remembers.”
Violet began to scribble down the directions. Jessie waved at Beth, motioning her to come over as she left the counter.
For a moment, Beth hesitated. It didn't look as if she wanted to stop to talk to them again. But then she did.
“I wrote down the directions to our house,” said Violet, holding out the napkin. “Just in case you need them when you come over tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” said Beth.
“At ten o'clockâto make the posters to help raise money for the new hospital wing,” said Violet. “You haven't forgotten, have you?”
“No. I didn't forget. Ten o'clock,” repeated Beth. She reached eagerly for the instructions and tucked them in the pocket of her skirt. “Thanks. This will be a big help.”
“See you tomorrow, Beth,” the Aldens called after her as she started toward the door.
Pausing, Beth looked back. Then she nodded uncertainly and hurried out.
The Aldens ate their ice cream slowly and watched the other people in the shop.
“You ate all of yours,” Grandfather said as Benny finished the last bite of his banana split.
“This is the best ice cream I ever had,” said Benny.
“You always say that, Benny,” said Henry.
“It always is,” said Benny.
It was time to go home. As they drove toward their house, they talked about seeing Beth again.
“Beth seemed very nervous tonight,” Henry said. “I wonder why.”
“I think she's just shy,” said Violet. “We should be extra nice to her until she feels more comfortable.”
“I think you're right,” said Jessie. “And if we get a lot of jobs, Beth will learn her way around Greenfield in no time.”
“I guess you're right.” Henry said. “It will be fun making posters and working together. That will help Beth feel more at home, too.”
Grandfather smiled as he listened to the children.
H
enry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny had begun to gather their art supplies together the next morning when someone knocked on the front door.
“I'll get it,” said Benny. He hurried to the front door with Watch close behind him. When he opened it, Beth was standing on the porching, smiling shyly.
“Hi!” said Benny. He led Beth back through the house. “Here's Beth!” he said.
“Hello,” everyone said.
“Hello,” said Beth, “May I carry something?”
“Thanks,” said Violet, who had been struggling with the blank poster boards. She gave half of them to Beth.
“Come on, then,” said Henry.
Beth and the Aldens left the house and went across the backyard toward their boxcar.
“It's really a
real
boxcar!” Beth exclaimed.
“Yes,” Jessie said, smiling. “It really is.”
“It's wonderful.” Beth stopped to study it.
Henry stepped up on the old stump that they used for the front steps and went into the boxcar, followed by Benny, Violet, and Jessie.
Benny leaned out the door of the boxcar. “Come see this inside, Beth!”
So Beth climbed inside and carefully propped the blank poster boards against the wall next to Violet's. She looked around admiringly. There on the shelf was the old knife that the Alden children had used to cut bread and butter, and vegetables, firewood, and string. The big kettle they'd used for cooking was there, and a blue cloth was spread on the table. Beth saw a pitcher and a teapot. Suddenly she heard a loud noise and jumped.
“What is that?” Beth asked.
Henry laughed. “Oh, that's just Benny, ringing the dinner bell.”
Beth looked out the door and saw that Benny was ringing an old tin can hung over a branch.
Climbing back into the boxcar, Benny grinned. “I'll show you my cup when we get back to the house,” he promised. Benny had a cracked pink cup that he had found when they lived in the boxcar. It was one of his most favorite things in the world, and he still used it.
But now it was time to go to work. Violet had carefully arranged all the art supplies so that they were easy for everyone to reach. The Aldens and Beth sat down at the table.
“First let's decide what we're going to call ourselves,” suggested Jessie.“How about âThe Helpers,' ” said Benny.
“Or maybe âThe Boxcar Helpers,' ” said Violet.
Everyone liked Violet's idea.
“Now you need to figure out how much you're going to charge for each choice,” Beth said.
“And where we're going to put the posters up,” Henry added. “And how many we need to make.”
“It's a good thing there are a lot of us,” said Benny. “That will make deciding easier!”
“It doesn't always,” laughed Henry. “What do you think, Beth? Do you have brothers and sisters? Do you always agree on everything?”
“I don't think anyone ever
always
agrees,” answered Beth. “Not even brothers and sisters.”
Violet nodded. “Even if your brothers and sisters are your best friends.”