The Mystery Cruise by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page B

coffee.
    â€œWho?” Jessie asked, giving a waiter her empty plate and glass. “I hope he’s nice.”
    â€œWhere is he?” Benny asked, finishing his milk.
    â€œHe’s over there,” Grandfather said, with a nod of his head. “I’ve already talked to him. His name is Max Greene and he seems like a nice fellow. Would you like to meet him?”
    â€œCould we?” Violet asked.
    Henry looked at the man leaning over the rail. He had a black beard and wore a cap to shade his eyes.
    â€œMax,” Grandfather said, moving to his side. “I’d like you to meet my grandchildren —Violet, Benny, Henry, and Jessie.” He tapped each one on the shoulder as he said their names. “Children, this is Mr. Greene.”
    â€œPlease,” Max said with a soft chuckle, “call me Max. And,” he added in a gentle voice, “I’m delighted to have such fine dinner companions.”
    Violet liked Max. He seemed a little shy, just like herself.
    â€œHappy to meet you, Max,” Benny piped up, shaking his hand. He thought Max looked handsome in his white pants and shirt, but what he liked best about him were his bright blue eyes.
    Suddenly, three whistles blew, signaling it was time for the fire drill. Grandfather and the children hurried to their cabins, and from the closet shelves pulled down bright orange life jackets. Then they all reported to A Deck.
    When the passengers were lined up, they were divided into small groups, and a sailor instructed each group on how to put on their bulky life jackets.
    Henry helped Benny tie the cord. Jessie laughed. “You look like a small orange pumpkin, Benny,” she teased.
    Benny grinned. “And you look like a big orange pumpkin, Jessie.”
    The sailor blew a whistle for quiet. He motioned with his hand, and a lifeboat was lowered mechanically. It seated seventy-five passengers, but there were many other lifeboats for all the eight hundred passengers. In a real emergency, everyone would get into a boat and row away.
    After the drill the children returned to their cabins and slipped into their swimsuits.
    The children didn’t see Max until dinnertime, for after lunch they spent the day at the swimming pool and then each chose a book from the library.
    Grandfather had decided on the early sitting for dinner. Passengers could eat dinner at either 6:45 or 8:30.

    The huge dining room gleamed with white linen, crystal chandeliers, fine china, and candlelight. The Aldens were led to table number thirty-eight.
    Max stood up when he saw them. “Hello,” he said. “Did you have a pleasant day?”
    â€œYou bet!” Benny said. “We swam and ate hamburgers by the pool. This afternoon we went to the library and got some books.” He stopped to catch his breath. “What did you do?”
    Max’s thick eyebrows lifted, and he smiled. “Well, I strolled about the deck, played some shuffleboard on the forward deck, and talked to an elderly gentleman about World War Two. You see, I’m a history professor at Newton College.”
    All at once a waiter appeared, handing each a menu. “I’m your waiter, Ramos,” he said.
    â€œHi, Ramos,” Benny said. The menu was so big it slipped from his fingers. Ramos was quick to retrieve it.
    â€œShall I order for you?” Grandfather asked, a twinkle in his eyes. The menu listed many appetizers, entrees, salads, and desserts. It was hard to know just what to order.
    But soon decisions were made, and when Ramos brought the dinners they looked and smelled delicious.
    All the Aldens had ordered the same meal. They had cold cucumber soup, thick roast beef, buttered potatoes, peas, and a tossed salad.
    Max wanted the same meal, but he also ordered horseradish sauce. “Roast beef with horseradish sauce always reminds me of my great-aunt Edith,” he said. “She loves horseradish and used to grow it in her garden. It was so