Mystery of the Mixed-Up Zoo Read Free Page B

see.” The man rubbed his chin.
    â€œYou see,” Violet continued, “we’re visiting Edward Marlow who owns the zoo. We’ll be spending lots of time with the animals.”
    â€œOh.” A strange expression crossed the man’s thin face, but it quickly passed, and he poked his glasses up on his long nose.
    â€œWell, I’ll find you all kinds of animal books,” he said. “By the way, I’m Mac Thatcher, the owner of the shop.”
    â€œI’m Henry Alden,” Henry said, placing a hand on Benny’s shoulder, “and this is my little brother, Benny, and my two sisters, Violet and Jessie.”
    â€œPleased to meet you,” Mac Thatcher said, tilting his head and studying each one. Then he handed Benny a book. “This is a good book on zoo animals and what they eat.” He gave another book to Violet. “This tells how they’re captured and brought to zoos, and this one,” he said, handing a book to Jessie, “is about baby animals in the zoo.”
    â€œThis is great!” Benny said, flipping through the pictures of camels, rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, seals, bright-colored birds, and monkeys.
    Mac Thatcher piled up books faster than the children could look at them, and he told them about each different kind of animal. There were books on jungle animals, on all sorts of monkeys, one on the African lion, another on the Bengal tiger. There were books on gorillas, bears, and hippopotamuses.

    â€œStop,” Violet begged. “I can’t keep track of all the books you’re showing us.”
    â€œMr. Thatcher, you certainly know a lot about animals,” Benny said admiringly.
    â€œCall me Mac,” he said in a kind voice. “Yes, I know my animals.”
    â€œDo you spend a lot of time at the zoo?” Benny asked.
    But Mac didn’t answer. He wheeled about and reached for another book.
    â€œDo you spend a lot of time at the zoo?” Violet asked again, thinking he hadn’t heard Benny.
    Mac stared at her but pressed his lips together, not responding.

CHAPTER 4
    More Trouble at the Zoo
    W hen the children arrived home from the bookstore, they greeted Grandfather, who was digging holes for the new shrubs he had bought that morning.
    Entering the house, they were surprised to see Edward in an angry conversation with a woman in a red suit and a black hat.
    Edward stopped talking when he saw the children. “Hi, kids,” he called. He briefly introduced them to the woman, whose name was Helen Brooks. She scarcely gave them a glance as she impatiently tapped her shoe.
    After saying hello to her, the Aldens excused themselves and went into the kitchen.
    They sat around the table while Jessie poured milk into three glasses and one pink cup, which was Benny’s.
    As they drank, they couldn’t help overhearing Edward arguing with Helen Brooks.
    â€œI tell you,” Miss Brooks said in a stern voice, “that zoo of yours is not worth another penny of the taxpayers’ money!”
    Edward shot back a cold reply, “The zoo means everything to the children in Rosedale, and to lots of adults, too.”
    Helen Brooks sneered. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. The zoo should be closed down. It costs thousands of dollars a year for food and medicine alone!” She continued in a raspy voice, “As a member of the town council, I intend to bring this up at the next meeting!”
    â€œAnd what will happen to the monkeys and lions and all the other animals?” Edward shouted.
    â€œHow should I know?” Helen Brooks snapped back.
    â€œIf you had a heart, you’d care,” Edward said sadly.
    â€œAnimals can be sent to other zoos,” Helen said in a quarrelsome tone, “or you can give them away. I don’t care!”
    â€œI’ll never give my animals away,” Edward answered defiantly. “Each one means a lot to