Free Spy Game by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

favorite cup. He had found it when they were living in the boxcar.
    Mrs. Dawson brushed back a wisp of silver hair. “Oh, yes. I’ve been a housekeeper out there for years,” she said, stirring cream into her tea. “When Nate Penner died, I wasn’t sure if my services would be needed anymore. But after the accident…” Her voice trailed away.
    Henry lifted an eyebrow. “Accident? What happened?”
    “Amanda tripped over a loose stone in the walkway,” Mrs. Dawson told them. “I’m afraid she sprained her ankle.”
    “Who’s Amanda?” Benny asked.
    “Nate Penner’s granddaughter,” answered Mrs. Dawson. “Amanda inherited the house from her grandfather. She’d lived in Chicago but she moved back to Greenfield to live here after he died.”
    “Do you think Amanda will be okay?” Violet wondered.
    “Oh, yes,” Mrs. Dawson assured her. “But right now, she can only get around on crutches. I’ll be staying on as housekeeper until she’s better.”
    “What will you do then, Mrs. Dawson?” asked Jessie. “Will you look for another job in Greenfield?”
    “That’s a good question,” said Mrs. Dawson. “I’ve always dreamed of opening my own bookstore. But … I don’t know if that will ever happen. It costs a lot of money to start a business.”
    Mrs. McGregor was quick to agree. “It’s not easy, that’s for sure.”
    “I’ve managed to save a bit of money, but not nearly enough. So I will definitely be looking for another housekeeping job,” Mrs. Dawson said with a sigh. “Amanda only needs me until the end of the summer.”
    Mrs. McGregor said, “You can always put a notice up on the job board in the grocery store.”
    “Actually, I’m doing that very thing today,” said Mrs. Dawson. “Not for me—for Amanda. She needs somebody to remove the stones from the walkway behind the house. She doesn’t want anyone else to fall and get hurt.”
    “Maybe we could lend a hand,” volunteered Henry.
    “Of course,” said Jessie.
    Benny and Violet nodded in agreement.
    “Well, that’s very kind of you to offer,” said Mrs. Dawson. “But … just so you know, it’s hard work.”
    Mrs. McGregor laughed. “If there’s anything these children love, it’s work.”
    The Aldens didn’t mind at all. “We’d like to help,” Violet said.
    “We can come over first thing in the morning,” said Henry.
    Mrs. Dawson looked grateful. “Well, don’t worry about packing any sandwiches,” she said. “I’ll make lunch for all of you and Amanda.”
    Mrs. McGregor poured her friend another cup of tea. “Speaking of Amanda,” she said, “is she still interested in writing?”
    The question seemed to catch Mrs. Dawson off guard. “What?”
    “I remember her grandfather was always so proud of the awards she won at school,” Mrs. McGregor said.
    The Aldens were instantly curious. “Amanda won awards?” Jessie asked.
    “She was a very talented writer,” said Mrs. McGregor. Then, turning to her friend, she asked again, “Does Amanda still enjoy writing stories?”
    As Mrs. Dawson reached for the cream, it slipped from her hand. “Oh, how clumsy of me!” She slapped a hand against her cheek.
    “That’s okay.” Mrs. McGregor mopped up the cream with a napkin. “I’ll get some more.”
    “No, no. I should be going anyway.” Mrs. Dawson pushed back her chair. “I still have, um … errands to run.” After thanking Mrs. McGregor for the tea, she dashed away.
    Jessie stared after her, puzzled. She had the strangest feeling Mrs. Dawson had spilled the cream on purpose. But why?

CHAPTER 2
The Jigsaw Puzzle
    “Sorry, Watch,” Jessie said after breakfast the next morning. She bent down and gave their family pet a hug. “You can’t go with us today. We’ll be riding our bikes.”
    Benny scratched the little dog behind the ears. “We’ll take you for a walk later,” he promised. Watch looked up and barked.
    A few minutes later, the Aldens were pedaling along the streets of