The Mystery Girl Read Free Page B

the scale,” Benny interrupted. “Now I can do it myself.”
    â€œWe can do other things for you, too,” Henry said to Mr. Taylor. “Sweep out the store, and put prices on things.”
    â€œI could make signs if you need them,” Violet said, smiling shyly at Mr. Taylor. “I like to do that.”
    â€œAnd she’s good at it, too,” Jessie said.
    â€œViolet’s the best,” Benny added admiringly.
    Mr. Taylor scratched his head. “It’s nice of you to offer. I’m very grateful. But I just don’t know,” he said doubtfully. He looked at Aunt Jane. “What do you think about this?”
    Aunt Jane smiled. “I think you couldn’t find four better helpers anywhere,” she said.
    â€œWell . . . ” Mr. Taylor scratched his head again. “It sure would take a big worry off my mind,” he said. “Of course, you can’t go back and forth to Elmford every day. That would take too much time.”
    â€œWe could stay in one of your cabins, just like Nancy does,” Jessie said.
    Mr. Taylor laughed. “That’s just what I was going to suggest, Jessie. You can stay in the cabin next to mine, that way I can keep an eye on you. Your aunt can come by from time to time to make sure everything’s all right.”
    â€œThen you’ll let us work here?” Benny asked.
    Mr. Taylor laughed again. “You’re hired, Benny,” he said. “All four of you.”
    â€œYou won’t regret it,” Aunt Jane said. She picked up the bag of curtain fabric and turned to the Aldens. “We’d better drive back to Elmford now so you can pack some things.”
    â€œAnd call Grandfather,” Violet said.
    â€œRight,” Henry agreed. “Wait until he hears we’re going to be working at a general store and living in a cabin!”
    â€œYour grandfather won’t mind, will he?” Mr. Taylor asked anxiously.
    â€œOh, no,” Jessie told him. “He’s used to us doing things like this.”
    â€œLike what?” Nancy asked.
    â€œHaving adventures,” Benny said as they walked toward the front door. “You’ll see, Nancy. The four of us are always having great adventures!”

CHAPTER 4
    The Aldens Go to Work
    W hen the Aldens got back to Aunt Jane’s house, they called Grandfather and told him about working in Mr. Taylor’s store and staying in one of his cabins. Grandfather thought it was a fine idea.
    â€œJane told me all about Mr. Taylor,” he said to Jessie on the phone. “She says he’s a good friend.”
    â€œI’m glad we can help him,” Jessie said.
    Grandfather chuckled. “I might have known the four of you would find something special to do while you’re away.”
    â€œIt will be fun,” Jessie said. She laughed. “Benny really likes Mr. Taylor’s store, especially the candy.”
    Grandfather chuckled again. “Tell him not to eat too much of it,” he said. “And have a wonderful time.”
    When everyone had spoken to Grandfather, they quickly packed some clothes to take back with them. Mr. Taylor had told them that the cabins were stocked with bedding and towels and cooking things, so they didn’t need to take any of that. But Benny made sure to pack his favorite cup, the cracked pink one that he had found when they lived in the boxcar.
    â€œThis is going to be almost like living in the boxcar again,” Violet said as Aunt Jane drove them back to the general store.
    â€œYes, except this time we won’t be hiding,” Jessie said. “Remember how scared we were that someone would find us and tell Grandfather about us?”
    â€œWe thought he was so mean,” Henry laughed. “Were we ever wrong!”
    When they reached the general store, Jerry Taylor came out with the key to their cabin. “I’m on one side of you, and Nancy’s cabin is on the