Mystery on Stage by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

lit the logs with a match. Soon a small fire blazed merrily.
    The four Alden children looked happily around their big cozy living room, while the firelight flickered on the walls. They hadn’t always lived with their Grandfather. In fact, after their parents died, they did not even want to meet him because they’d heard he was a mean man. They laugh about that now because nothing could be further from the truth.
    When Grandfather found his grandchildren, they had been living by themselves in an old abandoned boxcar in the woods. It was a happy day for the family when he brought them all to live with him in his big wonderful house in Greenfield. He even moved the boxcar to his backyard, so his grandchildren could play in it whenever they wanted.
    â€œJessie has some exciting news,” Violet announced to her family. “She’s trying out for a big part in The Wizard of Oz .”
    â€œOh, Jessie, that’s wonderful.” Grandfather came over to put his arm around his granddaughter. “I read about the play in the paper.”
    â€œI have some exciting news, too,” Benny said. He wiped cookie crumbs onto his blue pants. “Soo Lee is coming to dinner with Joe and Alice.”
    Jessie beamed. “Oh, good! We haven’t seen them in a long time.”
    Benny nodded. “I wonder if Soo Lee knows the story of The Wizard of Oz ?”
    â€œIf she doesn’t, I’m sure she’d like to hear it, Benny.” Grandfather chuckled. He knew Benny had a special fondness for his seven-year-old cousin.
    â€œAlice told me Soo Lee is reading everything she can in English, and she’s asking lots of questions,” Jessie said.
    Benny grinned. He remembered how shy Soo Lee had been when he first met her at the airport not too long ago. The children’s cousins, Joe and Alice, had adopted Soo Lee from Korea.
    When the doorbell rang, Benny was the first to answer. Joe swept him up in a big bear hug. Alice kissed each of her cousins in turn. Benny took Soo Lee by the hand and led her into the dining room.
    At dinner, the Aldens ate roast chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, and salad. No one could stop talking about the play. “I could help you learn your lines, Jessie,” Mrs. McGregor said as she put a bowl of cranberry sauce by Joe’s elbow.
    Jessie gave Mrs. McGregor a grateful look. “That would be wonderful,” she told her. “I’m planning to go pick up the script tomorrow. The auditions will be held in two days.”
    â€œThe what?” Benny asked.
    â€œThat’s when you go and try out for the part you want,” Henry explained to Benny.
    Jessie nodded. “I really need to practice,” she said. “I met someone today who wants the same part I do.” Jessie told her family about the girl who rushed away as soon as Jessie started asking her about the play. “The strange thing is Sarah did not seem to be in a hurry until I started talking to her.” Jessie finished her story and took a drink of water.
    â€œIt sounds like she didn’t want you to ask her any questions,” Henry pointed out.
    â€œBut why not?” Jessie asked.
    â€œJessie, not to change the subject,” Grandfather said, “but maybe you should tell Soo Lee a little about Dorothy.”
    Jessie nodded. “Dorothy,” she began, “is a little girl from Kansas who gets swept away to the land of Oz in a tornado.”
    â€œHer dog, Toto, goes with her,” Benny chimed in.
    Soo Lee nodded. “I know that story, Jessie. I saw the movie.” Soo Lee looked at Jessie with her big brown eyes. “I think you’ll be a very good Dorothy.”
    Alice laughed. “Soo Lee loved the part where Dorothy meets the Cowardly Lion and the Tinman.”
    â€œBut I didn’t like the Wicked Witch of the West at all.” Soo Lee shook her head. “I’m glad you don’t want that part.”
    Benny pushed his peas to one