Free Mystery on the Ice by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

going to the library.

CHAPTER 2
The Murrays’ Party
    When the children came down for breakfast, Grandfather glanced up from his newspaper. “Mrs. McGregor set four places for you and left the oatmeal on the stove,” he said, finishing his coffee. “She went to spend the holidays with her sister in Oregon.”
    Violet sipped her orange juice. “We don’t need a housekeeper,” she said. “We’ll cook for you, Grandfather.”
    James Alden chuckled. “I’m afraid you’ll be on your own most of the time. For the next week, I’ll be attending meetings of the hospital directors.” Then he added with a twinkle in his eye, “Do you think you can manage?”
    “Oh, I think so,” Henry said, rising and filling each bowl with oatmeal and raisins.
    “Yes, we’ve been on our own thousands of times,” Benny said.
    Henry laughed. “Not quite that many, but we can cook, clean house, shop, and run errands,” he said with pride in his voice.
    “Good!” Grandfather said, pushing back his chair and standing. “Then I’m off to a committee meeting. I knew I needn’t worry about you.” He paused, a smile spreading across his face. “I almost forgot.” He pulled an envelope from his pocket. “You know,” he continued, “that I’m on the board of directors of Greenfield Hospital. Well, a skating troupe is coming to town to do a holiday benefit performance for the hospital.”
    “A skating troupe coming here!” Jessie exclaimed. If there was anything she loved it was ice skating! She enjoyed gliding across the ice, and she loved watching excellent skaters.
    “Oh, boy!” Benny clapped his hands. “May we go and see the ice skaters?”
    Grandfather laughed. “Better than that, Benny.” He handed the envelope to Violet.
    Violet opened the flap and pulled out a heavy card with gold printing.
    “Read it,” Henry urged.
    Clearing her throat, Violet read: “To James Alden and Guests. You are invited to a party for the Starlight Skating Troupe. Thursday, December 27. 7:30. William and Sara Murray. 222 White Oak Lane.”
    Jessie sank back in her chair. The Starlight Troupe! One of the best skating shows in the country!
    Between mouthfuls of toast, Benny said, “I like ice skaters, too.” His eyes shone.
    Grandfather nodded, happy to see their reaction. “I know you’ll enjoy them. Not only that, but the skaters will be practicing all week at the Civic Center. You can watch them whenever you want.”
    Jessie gasped with pleasure. “I can’t believe it,” she said.
    “Are the skaters in town now?” Henry inquired.
    “They arrive this afternoon,” James Alden answered. “We’ll meet them tonight at the Murrays. You remember my good friends, William and Sara. They’ll be delighted to see you again.”
    “You mean we’re invited, too?” Violet asked in a soft voice.
    Grandfather smiled. “I wouldn’t go without you. You all are the ‘guests’ in the invitation.”
    “I suppose I have to get dressed up.” Benny wrinkled his nose. “Don’t I?”
    James Alden nodded. “It’s a special party. You want to look your best when you meet the ice skaters, don’t you, Benny?”
    “Sure.” His round face brightened. “Maybe they’ll teach me how to skate backward.”
    “I think,” Henry said, “that first you should learn to skate forward.”
    “I know how to skate forward!” Benny protested in a loud voice.
    “Yes, you do, Benny,” Violet said, smiling. “But don’t you think you could be a little more steady on your feet?”
    Benny glanced at Violet, reluctantly agreeing. “I guess so. I want to skate without falling down so many times.”
    That afternoon the children went to the grocery store, then Henry read a mystery, Benny and Violet worked on a jigsaw puzzle, and Jessie wrote a letter to Aunt Jane.
    In the late afternoon they made a light supper of toasted ham-and-cheese sandwiches and milk. They knew more food would be served at the party.
    At seven o’clock, Jessie was the first one