Mystery of the Mixed-Up Zoo Read Free

wiped away his gloom. “I like a good steak, baked potatoes, and tossed salad.”
    â€œThat’s easy,” Henry said.
    When they arrived at the house, Edward said, “But you’ll need to go to the store. Mike’s Grocery is only two blocks that way.” Pointing in the opposite direction from the zoo, he dug in his pocket and pulled out some money, giving it to Jessie. “Now you can buy whatever you need.”
    Violet and Jessie, not wasting any time, hurried down the road.
    Before long they were back and went directly to the kitchen.
    Jessie stopped, her mouth dropping open. “Henry! Benny! You’ve cleaned the whole kitchen!”
    Violet smiled. “Even the floor has been mopped.”
    â€œWe wanted to surprise you,” Benny said.
    â€œYou certainly did,” Jessie said.
    Henry unloaded the groceries while Violet made a salad and Jessie scrubbed six big potatoes and wrapped them in foil.
    That evening everyone was seated at the dining room table. When the thick seared steaks and steaming potatoes were served, Edward’s eyes lit up.
    Cutting into his steak, Edward beamed. The children could see he felt a lot better than when he saw the mixed-up signs. They were glad they could cheer him up.

CHAPTER 3
    The Snapshot
    T he next day the four Aldens walked to the store and bought lots of groceries to stock Edward’s cupboards. They carried sack loads of apples, milk, bread, eggs, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oranges, grapes, peas, green beans, orange juice, cereal, muffins, and hamburger meat.
    When they arrived home, they carefully put the food away. Afterward they dusted every piece of furniture.
    â€œYou know Edward told us to bring up the cabinet from the basement,” Violet said.
    â€œOh,” Benny cried, clapping his hands. “Could we explore the basement?”
    Henry chuckled. “I’m ready. Are you, Jessie?”
    â€œI sure am,” she said, heading toward the stairs.
    First Henry went downstairs, followed by Jessie, then Violet, and finally Benny.
    Boxes were stacked in corners, and a lamp as tall as Henry was in the center. Benny’s eyes were wide as he peered at the many things strewn about. “Where should we start?” he asked.
    Stepping over an old heater, Henry tipped over an empty box. “Anywhere you want to, Benny. Edward said we could bring upstairs anything we could use.”
    â€œOh, boy,” Benny said, going to a dark corner and kneeling down to open an old tin box. He picked up something small. “How pretty,” he said, holding up an orange and black trinket.
    â€œLook,” Henry said, pointing to a wooden cabinet. “This must be what Edward mentioned.” Opening the two doors, he peeked inside. “This will be just fine to store his magazines and newspapers.”
    Violet ran her hand over the dark wood. “I’ll bet this is a hundred years old.”
    â€œMaybe it was his mother’s sewing cabinet,” Jessie said. “Edward told us he grew up in this house, so I know many of these things belonged to his parents.”
    â€œLet’s carry this upstairs,” Henry said. He lifted one end, and Violet and Jessie the other. They started up the steps.
    They set the cabinet near Edward’s chair in the living room.
    â€œDid you notice that bookcase by the furnace?” Jessie asked.
    â€œPerfect!” Violet exclaimed. “We could put some of Edward’s books in there.”
    So they carried it upstairs. “What’s this?” Jessie asked, picking up an album that was on the lower shelf.
    Sitting down, Violet turned the pages of an old photo album. She peered closely at an old snapshot. “Look! This is Edward!”
    Henry, looking over her shoulder, exclaimed, “Edward was a pilot in World War Two. He was either in Japan or Germany. Those were the two main areas of fighting during the war.”
    â€œA pilot!” Violet