棚车少年 <p class="ql-block">“What have you been doing today?” asked Grandfather as they were finishing dinner that evening.</p><p class="ql-block">“We went shopping for Mrs. McGregor,” Henry answered. “And we met someone new.”</p><p class="ql-block">“A new friend?” Grandfather Alden smiled.</p><p class="ql-block">“She’s coming tomorrow to see our boxcar,” Benny said.</p><p class="ql-block">“And to meet Watch, Benny, don’t forget,” Jessie teased. “Her name is Beth Simon, and her family just moved into town, Grandfather. She’s going to help us with a project.”</p><p class="ql-block">“That sounds interesting,” said Grandfather.</p><p class="ql-block">“We’re going to help raise money for a new wing for the hospital,” explained Violet. “At the grocery store we saw a sign asking people to donate money.”</p><p class="ql-block">“An excellent idea.” Grandfather nodded approvingly. “The hospital needs a new wing. Having it will help many people.”</p><p class="ql-block">“But, Grandfather,” said Jessie, “we went by the hospital today, to find out more about the fund-raising. We spoke to Mr. Alvarez, who’s in charge. While we were there, we heard a doctor arguing with him about the new wing.”</p><p class="ql-block">“Yes,” Henry said. “She was very angry. She said Silver City needed a new hospital more than the Greenfield Hospital needed a new wing.”</p><p class="ql-block">Grandfather’s eyebrows drew together. “Some people did feel that way, when the new wing was first proposed,” he said. “But the County Board finally decided that it would be better to have one big hospital all in one place. With two small hospitals, they would always need to buy two of everything. But with one big hospital, more money could be spent on the latest medical equipment.”</p><p class="ql-block">“That makes sense,” said Jessie thoughtfully. “I wonder why that doctor was so angry.”</p><p class="ql-block">“Anyway, we’re going to start a helping service,” said Violet. “We will baby-sit, wash cars, run errands, and do whatever else people want done.”</p> <p class="ql-block">“And maybe we’ll have a bake sale,” said Benny.</p><p class="ql-block">Then the Aldens all began to talk at once, telling their grandfather about Beth’s idea and the posters they planned to make and all the jobs they could do.</p><p class="ql-block">Grandfather laughed. “It all sounds good. But, meanwhile, why don’t we go to the ice cream parlor for dessert? Is that a good idea?”</p><p class="ql-block">Benny bounced in his chair. “It’s a great idea, Grandfather!”</p><p class="ql-block">Soon the Alden family was driving along the quiet streets of Greenfield. Grandfather parked the car and they headed toward the ice cream parlor, with Benny leading the way.</p><p class="ql-block">“We can put posters in all these stores,”said Henry as they walked down Main Street.</p><p class="ql-block">“I’m sure you will have requests for all kinds of jobs,” said Grandfather.</p><p class="ql-block">In the ice cream parlor, several tables were full. But the Aldens found one near the corner. After a few minutes, the waitress came to take their order.</p><p class="ql-block">Henry had a double-scoop cone of chocolate chip mint. Jessie had peach ice cream with whipped cream in a bowl. Violet chose plain blackberry sherbet. She liked it because it was almost the shade of violets, her favorite color. Grandfather had one scoop of vanilla with chocolate syrup. Benny asked for a banana split.</p><p class="ql-block">“Can you eat all that?” asked Grandfather.</p><p class="ql-block">“I’ll try very hard,” Benny promised, laughing.</p><p class="ql-block">“Okay,” said Grandfather. “And I’ll help you if you have trouble.”</p><p class="ql-block">“Okay,” said Benny.</p><p class="ql-block">Just then, Jessie saw a familiar figure. “Look! There’s Beth.”</p><p class="ql-block">The Aldens turned and saw Beth standing at the counter. Her dark brown hair was pulled back with a red headband and she was wearing a skirt and a red-striped T-shirt.</p><p class="ql-block">Jessie jumped up. “I’ll go get her and then you can meet her, Grandfather,” she said.</p> <p class="ql-block">Beth had just finished talking to the young woman behind the counter as Jessie came up. “Yes,” the woman said. “That’s plenty for four people.”</p><p class="ql-block">“Then that’s exactly what I want,” said Beth.</p><p class="ql-block">“Hi, Beth,” said Jessie.</p><p class="ql-block">Beth quickly turned around. She looked startled. “Oh!”</p><p class="ql-block">“Are you buying ice cream for your family, too?” asked Jessie.</p><p class="ql-block">“Yes,” said Beth.</p><p class="ql-block">“While they’re getting it ready, come meet our grandfather,” Jessie suggested happily.</p><p class="ql-block">“But, well, my ice cream will melt,” Beth objected.</p><p class="ql-block">“You’ll be back by the time they have it ready,” promised Jessie, leading Beth toward the table where all the Aldens were sitting.</p><p class="ql-block">“This is our grandfather, James Henry Alden,” said Jessie. “Grandfather, this is Beth Simon.”</p><p class="ql-block">Grandfather stood up. “Welcome to Greenfield, Beth. Would you like to join us?”</p><p class="ql-block">“No. Uh, I mean, no, thank you. Um, I can’t.” Beth said quickly. “I have to go. Good-bye.”</p><p class="ql-block">She hurried back to the counter, although her order wasn’t quite ready.</p><p class="ql-block">“I’ll write out the directions to our house on this napkin,” said Violet. “Just so she remembers.”</p><p class="ql-block">Violet began to scribble down the directions. Jessie waved at Beth, motioning her to come over as she left the counter.</p><p class="ql-block">For a moment, Beth hesitated. It didn’t look as if she wanted to stop to talk to them again. But then she did.</p><p class="ql-block">“I wrote down the directions to our house,” said Violet, holding out the napkin. “Just in case you need them when you come over tomorrow.”</p><p class="ql-block">“Tomorrow?” said Beth.</p><p class="ql-block">“At ten o’clock—to make the posters to help raise money for the new hospital wing,” said Violet. “You haven’t forgotten, have you?”</p> <p class="ql-block">“No. I didn’t forget. Ten o’clock,” repeated Beth. She reached eagerly for the instructions and tucked them in the pocket of her skirt. “Thanks. This will be a big help.”</p><p class="ql-block">“See you tomorrow, Beth,” the Aldens called after her as she started toward the door.</p><p class="ql-block">Pausing, Beth looked back. Then she nodded uncertainly and hurried out.</p><p class="ql-block">The Aldens ate their ice cream slowly and watched the other people in the shop.</p><p class="ql-block">“You ate all of yours,” Grandfather said as Benny finished the last bite of his banana split.</p><p class="ql-block">“This is the best ice cream I ever had,” said Benny.</p><p class="ql-block">“You always say that, Benny,” said Henry.</p><p class="ql-block">“It always is,” said Benny.</p><p class="ql-block">It was time to go home. As they drove toward their house, they talked about seeing Beth again.</p><p class="ql-block">“Beth seemed very nervous tonight,” Henry said. “I wonder why.”</p><p class="ql-block">“I think she’s just shy,” said Violet. “We should be extra nice to her until she feels more comfortable.”</p><p class="ql-block">“I think you’re right,” said Jessie. “And if we get a lot of jobs, Beth will learn her way around Greenfield in no time.”</p><p class="ql-block">“I guess you’re right.” Henry said. “It will be fun making posters and working together. That will help Beth feel more at home, too.”</p><p class="ql-block">Grandfather smiled as he listened to the children.</p> <p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block" style="text-align:center;"><b>——————————————</b></p> <p class="ql-block"><a href="https://www.meipian8.cn/4bsgicm0?share_from=self" target="_blank">→ Chapter 4 The Boxcar Helpers</a></p> <p class="ql-block"><a href="https://www.meipian.cn/4bovomec?share_from=self" target="_blank">← Chapter 2 Angry Words</a></p>