Great Turkey Heist Read Free Page B

no one better throw garbage on it!” Benny said as he ate the last crumb from his plate.
    Mr. Grayson looked confused. “Garbage?”
    Henry explained what had happened earlier at the food pantry.
    Mr. Grayson seemed surprised. “You weren’t hurt, were you?” he asked.
    “Oh no,” Jessie said. “Nothing like that. It was just messy.”
    Mr. Grayson crossed his arms. He stared out the window. “I don’t understand it,” he said. “Who could be doing these things?”
    Noreen hurried up to the table. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said. “You are needed in the kitchen, Mr. Grayson.”
    “Sorry, children,” he said. “I have a lot of work to do. But if you want to paint the food pantry, you can get the supplies at the hardware store. I will call Mr. Carroll. He will put the charges on my account.” Mr. Grayson got up and walked back to the kitchen.
    “Mr. Grayson sure is a busy man,” Benny said.
    “Yes,” said Violet. “And he seems quite upset about the problems with the food pantry.”
    “We should get to the hardware store,” Henry said. “We have a lot of work to do.”
    The children parked their bicycles in the alley by the food pantry. They walked around the corner to the hardware store. Inside, they looked at all the color choices for paint.
    “There must be every color in the rainbow here,” Jessie said. “How will we ever choose?”
    Violet admired all the many shades of purple. It was her favorite color.
    “This one matches your hair ribbons and your shoelaces,” Benny said, pointing to a pretty shade of violet.
    Violet smiled. She often wore something purple with each of her outfits. “Yes, it does, Benny. And look! This color matches your shirt.” Violet showed her brother a golden-yellow paint.
    “That yellow would certainly brighten up the food pantry,” Jessie said.
    “I agree,” Henry added.
    “Can I help you kids?” A dark-haired man in a flannel shirt stood in the aisle. “I’m Mr. Carroll. Are you the Aldens?” he asked.
    “Yes,” Jessie answered. She introduced her sister and brothers. “We’re here for some paint.”
    “Mr. Grayson told me you would be stopping by. Did you pick out a color?”
    “We think this golden-yellow would brighten up the walls,” Jessie said.
    “That’s a good choice,” Mr. Carroll agreed. “I’ll get you started with a few cans. If you run low, you can come back for more.”
    Mr. Carroll grabbed a cart. He mixed the paint. Then he put the cans in the cart. He also put brushes, rollers, and paint trays in the cart.
    “Wow!” Benny said. “That’s a lot of stuff. I can’t wait to paint! I’m going to paint one whole wall by myself!”
    Mr. Carroll laughed. “You might need your brother to help you with the high places,” he said. “But if you are going to be painting, I think you need one more thing.” Mr. Carroll pulled a box down from a shelf.
    “What’s that?” Benny asked.
    “These are painter’s overalls,” he said. “I think I have some small sizes in here. Here, try these on, Benny.”
    Benny slipped into the overalls. They were a little too long. Jessie rolled up the pant legs for him.
    “Look at me!” Benny cried. “These even have a pocket in the front. I can put my brush in there!” Benny grabbed a brush from the cart and stuck it in the pocket. Everyone laughed.
    “There’s a pair for each of you here,” Mr. Carroll said. “Help yourselves.”
    “Thank you,” Henry said. “But we don’t want to run Mr. Grayson’s bill up too high. We should just get the paint and the brushes. We’ll be careful not to get paint on our clothes.”
    “I insist,” Mr. Carroll said. “I am donating all this to the food pantry.”
    “That is so kind. Thank you,” Jessie said.
    Mr. Carroll patted his round stomach. “I sure like to eat,” he said. “I don’t like to think of anyone being hungry. This is my way of helping. I will stop by later to see how you are making out.”
    The children thanked Mr.