Free Mystery of the Hidden Painting by Gertrude Chandler Warner

CHAPTER 1
    Birthday Plans
    T he Alden children, Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, ran out of their grandfather’s house, laughing. They raced each other to the nearby garden with a fountain in the middle near where their boxcar stood.
    Henry, who was fourteen and the oldest, reached the boxcar first and pulled open the door. Jessie and Violet got there next, at the same time. They turned and watched six-year-old Benny, puffing in the hot August sun, catch up with them.
    â€œIt’s not fair,” Benny said. “I’m always going to be the youngest and never win a race with you.”
    â€œSomeday you’ll beat even Henry,” Violet said reassuringly. Though she was only ten she often seemed more considerate than many older people.
    The children climbed into the boxcar, followed by their dog, Watch, and looked around.
    â€œWhew,” Benny said, “it’s so dirty.”
    Henry got the broom Jessie had made when they had all lived in the boxcar, and started sweeping the floor. “We haven’t been in here for a while. That’s why it’s so dusty. But I like it anyway.”
    Jessie smiled and spoke in the voice she used when she wanted to sound older than twelve. “Remember when we ran away and lived here after mother and father died? I think I can remember every day. Remember how we hid from Grandfather?”
    â€œYes,” Benny said, “because we thought he was mean and we wouldn’t like living with him.”
    â€œAnd look how wonderful and kind he is,” Violet said. “And how happy we are with him.”
    â€œThat’s why we’re here,” Henry said. “Because we love him and want to plan a wonderful party for his birthday next month. We have a lot of work to do.”
    â€œLet’s get started then,” Jessie said. “It’s awfully hot in here.”
    â€œWait,” Benny interrupted. “First let’s eat. I’m—”
    â€œHungry,” Violet finished for him. She reached for the basket she had brought with her. “Mrs. McGregor packed a little snack for us.”
    Jessie went to the shelf that held the dishes they had found and used when they lived in the boxcar. She took four cups.
    But Violet said, “We only need three. I brought Benny’s cup from the house. I couldn’t forget Benny’s cup.”
    Benny took a cracked pink cup from the basket and held it out. Henry lifted out spice cookies and a carton of milk and filled Benny’s cup. Jessie took peaches and plums and put them in a bowl. Then she piled bananas on top of the fresh fruit.
    The boxcar was exactly the same as it had been when the children had lived in it, except that Mrs. McGregor had given the children four plump, brightly colored cushions so they could sit on them on the floor. Now they got comfortable and chewed on the delicious cookies.
    â€œWell,” Jessie asked, “what should we do for Grandfather’s party?”
    â€œWe have to have a cake and ice cream,” Benny said positively. “You can’t have a birthday party without a cake.”
    â€œI’ll help Mrs. McGregor bake the cake,” Jessie said.
    â€œNo! I’ll do that,” Benny shouted.
    Violet laughed. “I knew you’d say that. Well, I’ll play the violin for Grandfather. I’ll be glad to do that. I’ll have to think about what to play.”

    â€œAnd I’ll decorate the dining room,” Jessie said.
    â€œI think I’ll write a poem,” Henry said. “We were studying poetry in school at the end of the term. I’ll be able to put what I learned to good use.”
    â€œWe have to buy him a present, too,” Violet said. “What should it be?”
    â€œModel cars,” Benny said.
    The other children laughed. Henry said, “I saw Grandfather looking at a sweater in Barlow’s Men’s Shop last week. I think he liked it. We could all chip in, and