Free Ghost in the First Row by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

Elmford.”
    “Thanks, Grandfather,” said Jessie. “We’ll pack tonight, then we won’t be rushed in the morning.”
    The other Aldens smiled at each other. They could always count on Jessie to be organized.
    Violet was wondering about something.
    “Grandfather, why was the Trap-Door Theater left empty for such a long time?”
    “Well, when the theater was first built, Violet,” said Grandfather, “it was Elmford’s pride and joy. Tickets were always sold out. But as the years went by, the building needed repairs. It slowly became more and more rundown. Soon people didn’t want to go there anymore.”
    “Why didn’t they do the repairs?” Benny wondered.
    “The town of Elmford didn’t have the money, Benny. The council finally closed the theater down.”
    “How did they finally get the money to fix it up?” Jessie wondered.
    “When Alice Duncan died, she left her money to the town to restore the place,” said Grandfather. “Alice was one of Aunt Jane’s neighbors.”
    “What a wonderful thing to do!” said Violet. Jessie nodded. “She saved the old theater.”
    “For now, anyway.” Grandfather put down his fork. “Everyone’s hoping the theater will bring tourists into town. But …”
    “If it doesn’t,” guessed Henry, “they’ll close it down again?”
    “I’m afraid so, Henry. But if the theater brings tourists into town, it’ll be good for everyone.”
    “That makes sense,” Henry said after a moment’s thought. “There’ll be more shoppers going in and out of the stores. Right, Grandfather?”
    “Right.” Grandfather nodded.
    “Oh, I’m sure the play will be a success,” said Violet.
    Benny was quick to agree. “Everybody likes a mystery!”
    True to her word, Aunt Jane was waiting for the Aldens when their train pulled into Elmford the next day.
    “I brought my binoculars for the play, Aunt Jane!” Benny shouted, running up and giving her a hug. Laughing, Aunt Jane returned the hug.
    “Don’t worry, Benny,” she said. “We’ll be sitting in the first row. I don’t think you’ll need binoculars.”
    “We can’t wait to see what the theater looks like now,” Violet said.

    Henry loaded the suitcases into the car and they all got inside.
    “Actually, you can take a peek at it right away,” Aunt Jane said. “The theater is just around the corner, so you can see it from the outside. It’s been completely done over.”
    “Thanks to your neighbor,” said Henry, sitting up front beside Aunt Jane. “Alice Duncan, I mean.”
    “Yes, Alice was a great fan of the theater,” said Aunt Jane. “And a wonderful friend.”
    Violet didn’t like to hear the note of sadness in Aunt Jane’s voice. She was trying to think of something cheery to say, but Jessie spoke first.
    “I bet Alice would be pleased with all the work that’s been done,” she said.
    “Yes, I think she would.” Aunt Jane smiled at Jessie through the rearview mirror. “In the old days, Alice had a seat in the first row for every mystery play. And she always brought her knitting and a bag of popcorn with her for intermission.”
    “Wow,” said Benny. “I guess Alice liked mysteries.”
    “She sure did, Benny.” Aunt Jane nodded. “As a matter of fact, she even wrote her own mystery plays.”
    The children were surprised to hear this.
    “Alice Duncan was a writer?” Jessie asked.
    “She sure was,” said Aunt Jane. “Whenever we had a cup of tea together, she’d tell me about her latest codes and clues.”
    That sounded like fun to Benny. “I bet she was a good writer.”
    “The best, Benny,” said Aunt Jane. “And she always put a surprise twist in the last act.”
    “Were any of her plays performed in the Trap-Door Theater?” Jessie wondered.
    “It was always Alice’s dream to have one of her plays performed.” Aunt Jane sighed. “But sadly, her dream never came true.”
    “What a shame!” said Violet.
    “Alice wanted to give other writers the chance she never had,”