Free Rock 'n' Roll Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

going to add ‘the Greenfield Four’ and some instruments next,” said Violet.
    â€œIt’s terrific,” Jessie said.
    â€œIt sure is!” Benny added.
    â€œThanks,” Violet replied. “They’re going to hang it up tomorrow night when the band plays.”
    The Greenfield Four was one of the most popular bands in town. There were two men and two women—all very talented. When the four of them sang together, their voices blended beautifully. They played many different instruments, too. It seemed as though they were good at everything!
    The band played in the Greenfield area all the time, often at one of the schools or at a charity event. Alan and Amy Keller were the band’s leaders, and they were also married. Karen played piano and guitar, and Dave played drums.
    â€œI’ll bet Karen will love the sign,” Jessie said to Violet. In addition to being a member of the Greenfield Four, Karen had also been giving Violet guitar lessons for the past few months.
    â€œI hope so,” Violet replied. “No one will see it until the end of the festival, since the Greenfield Four will be the last band to play.”
    â€œWhy’s that?” Benny asked.
    â€œBecause they’re the most popular,” Violet said. “It’ll be the perfect end to the festival.”
    â€œAnd also,” Jessie added, “because the man from the record company will be here then.”
    â€œOh, that’s right,” Benny said. “I forgot about that. Why is he coming again?”
    â€œHe travels all over the country, looking for talented new groups,” Jessie told him.” As soon as he finds them, he has them make albums for him. Then their CDs are sold all over the world.”
    â€œSo this is the Greenfield Four’s big chance to become famous,” Violet added.
    On the other side of the stage, Henry, the oldest Alden came huffing and puffing as he carried a large coil of black cable over his shoulder. He was followed by a man who was carrying another, larger coil. The man’s name was Raymond, and he was a “roadie.” He traveled with bands wherever they went, helping to set up all the equipment.
    Raymond was small and muscular, with very dark bushy hair and a thick mustache. He was friendly enough, but, like Tim, he seemed kind of quiet. The Aldens also noticed that he was very good at his job.
    â€œThose two have been working so hard,” Violet said.
    Henry and Raymond came around to the front of the stage. Raymond smiled.
    â€œThanks for loaning me your brother today. He’s been great.”
    â€œThat’s good,” Jessie said. “A little hard work never hurt anyone. Right, Henry?”
    Henry was still trying to catch his breath. He tried to say something, then just nodded instead. Everyone laughed.
    Jessie opened his juice for him and handed it over. Henry drank half of it in one long sip. Then he grabbed a doughnut from the bag and took a big bite.
    â€œI never had any idea how hard it was to build a stage,” he said.
    â€œHarder than living in a boxcar?” Jessie asked.
    Henry managed to smile. “Well, not as much fun,” he replied.
    After their parents died, the Aldens had run away from home. They knew that their grandfather was trying to find them, but they had heard that he was mean. They found an abandoned train car—a boxcar in the woods—and cleaned it up so they could live in it. Their grandfather still found them, though, and the children were delighted to learn that he wasn’t mean at all. He took them back to his home in Greenfield, and he brought their boxcar along, too! He set it up in the backyard so the children could play in it anytime they wished.
    â€œYou do this kind of work every night, don’t you Raymond?” Benny asked.
    â€œJust about, Benny,” Raymond said. “And it is a lot of work. But I’m lucky this time—I have all these great