When the children came down for breakfast, Grandfather glanced up from his newspaper. “Mrs. McGregor set four places for you and left the oatmeal on the stove,” he said, finishing his coffee. “She went to spend the holidays with her sister in Oregon.”
Violet sipped her orange juice. “We don’t need a housekeeper,” she said. “We’ll cook for you, Grandfather.”
James Alden chuckled. “I’m afraid you’ll be on your own most of the time. For the next week, I’ll be attending meetings of the hospital directors.” Then he added with a twinkle in his eye, “Do you think you can manage?”
“Oh, I think so,” Henry said, rising and filling each bowl with oatmeal and raisins.
“Yes, we’ve been on our own thousands of times,” Benny said.
Henry laughed. “Not quite that many, but we can cook, clean house, shop, and run errands,” he said with pride in his voice.
“Good!” Grandfather said, pushing back his chair and standing. “Then I’m off to a committee meeting. I knew I needn’t worry about you.” He paused, a smile spreading across his face. “I almost forgot.” He pulled an envelope from his pocket. “You know,” he continued, “that I’m on the board of directors of Greenfield Hospital. Well, a skating troupe is coming to town to do a holiday benefit performance for the hospital.”
“A skating troupe coming here!” Jessie exclaimed. If there was anything she loved it was ice skating! She enjoyed gliding across the ice, and she loved watching excellent skaters.
“Oh, boy!” Benny clapped his hands. “May we go and see the ice skaters?”
Grandfather laughed. “Better than that, Benny.” He handed the envelope to Violet.
Violet opened the flap and pulled out a heavy card with gold printing.
“Read it,” Henry urged.
Clearing her throat, Violet read: “To James Alden and Guests. You are invited to a party for the Starlight Skating Troupe. Thursday, December 27. 7:30. William and Sara Murray. 222 White Oak Lane.”
Jessie sank back in her chair. The Starlight Troupe! One of the best skating shows in the country!
Between mouthfuls of toast, Benny said, “I like ice skaters, too.” His eyes shone.
Grandfather nodded, happy to see their reaction. “I know you’ll enjoy them. Not only that, but the skaters will be practicing all week at the Civic Center. You can watch them whenever you want.”
Jessie gasped with pleasure. “I can’t believe it,” she said.
“Are the skaters in town now?” Henry inquired.
“They arrive this afternoon,” James Alden answered. “We’ll meet them tonight at the Murrays. You remember my good friends, William and Sara. They’ll be delighted to see you again.”
“You mean we’re invited, too?” Violet asked in a soft voice.
Grandfather smiled. “I wouldn’t go without you. You all are the ‘guests’ in the invitation.”
“I suppose I have to get dressed up.” Benny wrinkled his nose. “Don’t I?”
James Alden nodded. “It’s a special party. You want to look your best when you meet the ice skaters, don’t you, Benny?”
“Sure.” His round face brightened. “Maybe they’ll teach me how to skate backward.”
“I think,” Henry said, “that first you should learn to skate forward.”
“I know how to skate forward!” Benny protested in a loud voice.
“Yes, you do, Benny,” Violet said, smiling. “But don’t you think you could be a little more steady on your feet?”
Benny glanced at Violet, reluctantly agreeing. “I guess so. I want to skate without falling down so many times.”
That afternoon the children went to the grocery store, then Henry read a mystery, Benny and Violet worked on a jigsaw puzzle, and Jessie wrote a letter to Aunt Jane.
In the late afternoon they made a light supper of toasted ham-and-cheese sandwiches and milk. They knew more food would be served at the party.
At seven o’clock, Jessie was the first one ready, so she sat by the fireplace, waiting for the others. She read and petted Watch, who snuggled next to her on the loveseat. She was looking especially pretty tonight, wearing a hair clip that had been a gift from Grandfather. She wore a blouse and skirt.
Soon Violet, in a green velvet dress, joined
Jessie. “What! No lavender?” Jessie teased.
“Not tonight,” Violet said, sitting on a footstool before the fire. “This is my holiday dress.”
Henry appeared the most grown-up in his gray blazer and navy trousers.
Benny rushed in. “I’m ready.” His hair was neatly combed, and he was wearing a navy jacket and gray pants.
Grandfather was elegant in his tuxedo and bow tie. He held out two elbows to escort Jessie and Violet to the car.
When they arrived at the arched doorway of the Murrays’ mansion, a woman in black, with a white apron and cap, opened the door and took their coats. Violet gasped at the large oak-paneled hall, the glittering crystal chandeliers, and the flames dancing in the marble fireplace.
Benny admired the toy soldiers lined up on the mantelpiece.
A tall woman, with white hair piled on top of her head, held out her arms and came toward them. “James! How nice to see you!”
She brushed Grandfather’s cheek with a quick kiss. Then she smiled at the younger Aldens. “I haven’t seen your grandchildren for some time. Let’s see,” she said, tapping a ringed finger on her chin, “this is Jessie, and Violet, and, oh, my,” she paused to gaze at Henry, “how tall you’ve grown, Henry, and this is … is …”
“Benny!” Benny piped up.
“Of course. Benny,” Sara said.
Wide-eyed, Benny stared at Sara. “You shine more than all the holiday lights put together,” he marveled.
“I guess I do,” Mrs. Murray said with a laugh, touching her diamond necklace. Her dangling diamond earrings, diamond ring, and ruby bracelet shimmered in the light.
William Murray hurried to greet them. “The Aldens! I’ve been waiting for you! I want you to meet our honored guests, the ice skaters.” William Murray and James Alden were the same age, but there the resemblance ended. James was tall, William was short and chubby.
William patted Benny on the back. “Make yourself at home, young man.”
“I will,” Benny promised.
After welcoming the other children, William left with James for a discussion in the study.
Jessie craned her neck, attempting to spot the ice skaters. In the center of the room, a small blonde woman chatted with an attractive young man. Apparently they were members of the troupe.
But before Jessie introduced herself, a plump woman with short black hair bustled up to Sara Murray. “Have you seen Ollie Olson?” she asked. “I can’t keep track of him.”
“The last I saw of Ollie, the clown,” Mrs. Murray said, “he was filling his plate at the buffet table.”
“Aha!” the frowning woman exclaimed. “I knew it! He’s breaking training again!”
Mrs. Murray introduced each Alden. “Children, meet Janet O’Shea, the owner of the Starlight Troupe.”
Janet, however, scarcely noticed the children. “I must find Ollie,” she said, pressing her lips firmly together. “I’m sending him back to the hotel!” She strode off, leaving the Aldens to stare after her.
A short time later she passed by with a skinny man, who towered over her. They walked swiftly through the room. Janet was saying, “Go back to the hotel! And don’t order room service! I can’t afford it!” That must be Ollie with Miss O’Shea, Jessie thought.
The clown skater gave Janet a mock bow and was gone before they could meet him.
“Ollie’s impossible!” Janet muttered.
What a rude woman, Jessie thought. If the other skaters were like her, she didn’t care whether she met them or not!