The reporter stood off in the corner of the playroom and looked a little restless. I guess we have our story, Nan. Ill run a little piece about your great-uncle and about House and Hands fixing up the Bugaboo House. Please dont call it that, Nan prot...
The next day, the Aldens spent the morning painting the porch of the main house. While they worked, they spoke in low whispers. Its too bad Mabel is at the fund-raising breakfast right now, Jessie said. We have to tell her about the disappearing stai...
The Aldens tiptoed into the hallway behind Henry. They stood under the secret ceiling panel. Jessie beamed her flashlight upward. Hey look. Whoever was up here didnt close the panel all the way. Its hanging open partway. I think we can reach it from...
Late that night in the middle of the night, the little playhouse where the Aldens were camped out shook in the wind. Jessie reached over and tapped Henrys shoulder. Henry are you awake? Im glad youre up, Jessie, Henry whispered back. I hope all this...
My muscles real strong now! Benny said as he and the other Aldens climbed to the third floor of the Bugbee House the next day. Nan was following right behind, rushing as usual to get the Aldens working and out of her way. After three days, the Aldens...
After dinner that night, nearly all the House and Hands volunteers had left for the day. The Aldens were in charge of doing the dinner dishes. That chocolate pudding was yummy, Benny said. He licked his spoon clean then dropped it into the soapy dish...
The next morning Jessie woke up with cold feet. She was used to Watch sleeping at the end of her bed and warming her feet. Only now Watch was at home while Jessie was in her sleeping bag in the Bugbee playhouse. Soon everyone elses eyes were opening,...
All of Greenfield seemed to be jammed into the Bugbees old stable for the House and Hands auction. The Alden children strolled through the excited crowd. Unlike the grown-ups, they passed right by the displays of old furniture, mirrors, paintings, to...
I never saw this rusty old gate open before, Henry said when the Aldens arrived at the Bugbee estate a few days later. The children stared up at the gate. They had passed it often, but it had always been locked before. Now it was open. The two stone...
The Alden House was jumping. Every few minutes, people on the front porch rang the doorbell. And every few minutes on the back porch, the family dog, Watch, whined to come in. The Alden children were in the kitchen baking cookies. Watch didnt want to...
