Stage Fright on a Summer Night by Mary Pope Osborne Page B

house. He closed his eyes against the light. When he opened them, Morgan le Fay was gone. On the floor where she had stood was a book.
    â€œMorgan didn’t tell us enough,” said Jack.
    â€œBut she left this research book,” said Annie. She picked up the book. “And it’ll tell us the first place to go.” She held the book up to the gray light at the window.
    The cover showed a busy river with boats and a bridge. The title was
    Merry Olde England
    â€œWhat’s o-l-d-e mean?” asked Annie.
    â€œI think that’s the old way of spelling
old,
” said Jack. “You say it the same.”
    â€œSo we’re going to merry olde England to find magic?” said Annie. “That sounds fun. Ready?”
    â€œI guess,” said Jack. He still wished they’d gotten more information from Morgan. But he pointed at the cover of their research book.
    â€œI wish we could go there,” he said.
    The wind started to blow.
    The tree house started to spin.
    The wind blew harder and harder.
    Then everything was still.
    Absolutely still.

Warm daylight flooded into the tree house. Jack opened his eyes.
    Annie was wearing a long dress with an apron. Jack was wearing a shirt with puffy sleeves, knee-length pants, and tights. Their shoes were leather slippers. Jack’s backpack was now a leather bag.
    â€œThese clothes are weird,” said Jack. His voice was nearly drowned out by the sound of thundering wagon wheels coming from below.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” said Annie.
    She and Jack looked out.
    The tree house had landed in a patch of trees near a wide brown river. Wagons, carts, and people were heading toward the river.

    Ferryboats, sailing ships, and white swans glided across the water.
    â€œWow, it’s so busy,” said Annie.
    Jack opened their research book and read:
    In 1600, over 100,000 people lived in London, England. At that time, England was ruled by Queen Elizabeth the First. She was much loved by her people.
    â€œA queen? Cool,” said Annie.

    Jack took out his notebook and wrote:

    â€œI’ve never seen a bridge like
that,
” said Annie, looking to the left.
    Jack looked with her. A giant stone bridge crossed the river. The bridge looked like a small town. It was crowded with houses, shops, and even a church.
    Jack found a picture of the bridge in their research book. He read aloud:
    At the heart of London was London Bridge. The bridge crossed the Thames (say TEMZ) River. At different times in history, the bridge fell down. But it was always built again.
    â€œOh, wow,” said Annie. “That must be where the song comes from.” She sang, “London Bridge is falling down, falling down … .”
    While Annie sang, Jack took out his notebook and wrote:

    â€œLet’s go look for the magic,” said Annie. She read Morgan’s note again:
    To find a special magic,
    You must step into the light
    And without wand, spell, or charm,
    Turn daytime into night.
    Jack squinted up at the sky. It was very blue, without even a cloud.
    â€œIt’s just not possible,” he said, shaking his head.
    But he threw the research book and his notebook into his leather bag. Then he followed Annie down the rope ladder. When they reached the ground, they started walking toward the river.
    â€œP-U!” Annie said, holding her nose.
    The river smelled terrible.
    No one else seemed to mind the smell, though. People were cheerfully piling into ferryboats or heading for the bridge. They all seemed happy, as if they were going someplace fun.
    A group of ragged boys brushed past Jack and Annie. They were about twelve or thirteen years old. They were laughing and out of breath.
    â€œHurry! We’ll be late!” one shouted.
    The boys ran toward the stone gateway leading onto the bridge.
    â€œLate for what?” said Annie. “What’s on the other side of that bridge? Why are they in such a hurry to get