plants and trees.
“When you walk on this rug, you sink into it!” said Tim.
“How can those trees grow inside?” asked Lisa. “And what happens when they touch the roof?”
Mr. Peters and Mr. Duff checked everyone in. They had to have several rooms for a group the size of the Pee Wees.
On the elevator a woman in a red velvet dress carried a little dog wearing ared coat and matching red boots.
“Those are mother-daughter outfits,” whispered Tracy.
“I’ll bet they’re in the circus,” said Roger. Mrs. Peters frowned at him.
When they got to their rooms, Molly was relieved to find that she didn’t have to spend the night in the same room as her parents, or worse, Roger. Mr. Duff and Mr. Peters were in charge of the boys. And in Molly’s room, Mrs. Peters took charge of half the girls. Mrs. Duff stayed in another room with the rest of the girls.
Having her parents on the trip was not so bad, thought Molly. It appeared she had worried for nothing. So far her parents had caused no trouble or embarrassment, and in fact all the Pee Wees seemed to be entertained by her father.
In the first room, the Pee Wees found more things to do and see. There werebig, bouncy beds, little bars of soap and bottles of shampoo, and a real hair dryer built right into the wall.
“That way no one can steal it,” said Rachel.
“Hey, look at the little refrigerator!” shouted Sonny. “It’s filled with candy and stuff!”
“You have to pay for what you take out,” warned Jody. “It’s not free.”
After all the bags were in the right rooms, Mrs. Peters tried to get the Pee Wees to be quiet so that she could discuss the plans. But they were so wound up with excitement, no one could listen.
“Even though we got a late start,” said Mrs. Peters above the noise, looking at Sonny, “we are going to the museum. Because of our delay, we have to get a move on. The museum is a large place, and it will take at least two trips to see it all.”
The Pee Wees moaned. “Can’t we stay here?” said Sonny. “Can’t we go exploring in the hotel?”
“There’s a swimming pool on the tenth floor, Mrs. Peters,” said Rachel. “I think we should take advantage of it. It comes with the rooms.”
Mrs. Peters looked a little tired, Molly thought.
“We didn’t come here to see the hotel, boys and girls! We came here to see things of historical interest—things we can’t see at home.”
The Pee Wees groaned. The museum had sounded like fun when they were at home. But now it didn’t seem as much fun as exploring the hotel and going swimming on the tenth floor, high above Center City.
“We can’t see a hotel like this at home!” shouted Sonny. “I think for mybadge I’ll draw a picture of the swimming pool!”
“Forget the museum!” exclaimed Roger. “There’s a TV in the lobby with a screen as big as a movie theater! And Spider-Man was on!”
The boys cheered and started toward the door. But Mr. Duff stopped them and herded them back. “TV is something we have at home,” he said. “And no one gets a badge for drawing a picture of the swimming pool!”
Molly began to see why they had to have four adults along on this trip.
“We have no time to waste. We have to get to the museum right away” said Mrs. Peters.
All the other Pee Wees looked at Sonny. It was his fault they couldn’t have a swim or go exploring in the hotel. But Sonny didn’t look as if it bothered him at all.
Everyone began to get ready to go to the museum. They used the bathroom and brushed their hair and washed their hands and faces. They got back on the elevator while Mr. Duff studied the city map.
“These elevators tickle my stomach!” said Molly.
“Mine too,” said Mary Beth.
When they got off in the lobby Tim said, “Hey, look at that guy over there.” He pointed to a sofa partly concealed by a flowering bush.
“What about him?” asked Patty.
“He looks suspicious,” said Tim. “He’s got shifty eyes and a tattoo