“That would be great!” said Henry.
Just then there was a scratching at the kitchen door.
“Watch!” exclaimed Benny happily. He rushed to the door and opened it.
Watch bounded in and stopped. His tail went up, and he started wagging it stiffly. The fur on the ruff of his neck stood up. As plainly as if he’d said it in English, he was asking, “Who is this strange dog in my kitchen?”
Sunny raised her head.
“Okay, Sunny,” said Caryn. “Be good, now.”
Sunny stood up. She and Watch touched noses. Gradually the fur on Watch’s neck went down. Suddenly he put his two front legs flat on the floor, while sticking his hindquarters and tail up in the air. He wagged his tail furiously.
“He’s saying, ‘Let’s play!’ ” Caryn laughed.
Everyone watched, smiling, as Sunny did the same thing as Watch.
“Would you like to go outside and play, Sunny?” asked Caryn.
“May we take them out, Grandfather?” asked Violet.
Grandfather laughed. “If it’s okay with Mrs. Teague.”
“Just be careful that Sunny stays in good shape for the show,” said Mrs. Teague.
“Don’t worry,” Caryn said. “I’ll keep an eye on Sunny. I’m sure nothing will happen to her.”
“We’ll show you our boxcar, too,” said Henry. During their snack, they’d told the Teagues a little about their adventures in the old boxcar.
“I’d like that,” said Caryn.
Everyone except Grandfather and Mrs. Teague went outside into the late afternoon sun. Watch and Sunny began to run in happy circles, barking and dancing around each other.
Henry led the way to the boxcar with Caryn walking beside him. Benny ran ahead and Jessie and Violet followed everyone.
Benny climbed up into the boxcar. “Look,” he said, standing in the door. “This is my pink cup. I found it.” The cracked pink cup was Benny’s favorite possession. He had found it when they were all living in the old abandoned boxcar, and he still used it sometimes.
“It’s a very nice cup,” Caryn told Benny. She climbed into the boxcar after Benny and let the Aldens show her their former home, telling how Grandfather Alden had moved the boxcar to the backyard as a surprise, after they had come to live with him. Many of the things — the blue tablecloth, the kettle they’d cooked with, the old teapot and pitcher they’d found — were still inside.
“So this is the boxcar,” Caryn said admiringly. “How lucky you were to find it! And brave to be on your own like that, too.”
“It was fun,” said Benny.
Henry smiled at his younger brother. “It was fun,” he agreed. “But it was hard work, too. I’m glad we live with Grandfather Alden now.”
“It’s a wonderful boxcar,” said Caryn. She and Henry sat down on the front stump and watched as the others romped and played with the two dogs until it was time for dinner.
CHAPTER 3
The Polka-Dotted Couple
The Greenfield Center, where the dog show was being held, was a big new building at the edge of town. As the Aldens approached it the next day, they could see cars and trucks and vans arriving, and people hurrying in and out. The sign out front read WELCOME TO THE FIRST ANNUAL GREENFIELD DOG SHOW.
“We’ve never been here before,” said Henry.
“It’s big,” said Violet. “And there are so many people!”
“And dogs,” said Benny.
They threaded their way among all the people and dogs and finally reached the back door.
“Look,” said Violet, pointing. A sign by the door said REGISTRATION THIS WAY.
A moment later, Henry, who was the tallest, spotted Caryn. “There she is!” he said. He waved and Caryn waved back. She headed toward them, with Sunny walking sedately beside her.
“Hi Sunny!” said Benny happily. Sunny’s tail waved gently to and fro.
“Sunny sure is calm around all these people,” said Violet. Violet was shy, and being around a lot of people made her nervous.
Caryn smiled. “She’s used to it. I’ve got her all signed in, but I’d like to walk around a little to get my bearings. Why don’t you join me?”
“Okay,” agreed Henry.
Together they all walked out to the main arena. It was bigger than a basketball court, with rows and rows of seats all around it. But velvet ropes had been strung across it, dividing it into sections.
“Each section is called a ring,” Caryn explained. “That means that several different breeds of dogs will be shown at the same time in different rings of the arena. There will be a judge assigned to each ring.”
“How do you know when it’s your turn? And what ring to go in?” asked Jessie.
“The rings have numbers above them, see?” Caryn gestured. “And the time and ring number is listed in the program for the dog-show owners and handlers and the audience, and for the judges, too.”
“It’s a lot of work!” exclaimed Benny.
“That’s true, Benny. But it’s a lot of fun as well,” Caryn said. She led them out of the arena.
Suddenly, a man and woman pushed past them, walking a beautiful white dog with black spots. The couple seemed to be dressed to match their dog — the man had on a black-and-white polka-dotted tie and the woman had on a black-and-white spotted dress.
The woman’s face was red. “Why do we have to keep showing Zonker?” she demanded, grabbing the man’s sleeve. “Tell me that! He’s a champion now. Why not let him retire and have a little fun?”
“Because Zonker likes being a show dog,” the man said angrily. “That’s what he’s bred and trained to do.”
“You like it. That doesn’t mean Zonker likes it!” the woman shouted angrily. “I’m tired of this whole dog-show business. For once I’d like to spend a few quiet weeks at home, instead of traveling around trying to win blue ribbons!”
“And you’d do anything to get what you want, wouldn’t you!” the man shouted back, his own face growing red. “I think you’d actually sabotage a champion dalmation like Zonker — ”
Just then, the two people seemed to realize that others could hear their quarrel. They glanced over at Caryn and the Aldens. Then the woman hissed, “Shhh!” Without another word, the polka-dotted couple hurried out of sight with their dog.
“Maybe it’s not so much fun for some people,” said Benny.
Caryn sighed. “Maybe not, Benny.”
They kept walking past a double door with a sign above it that said BENCHING AREA.
“What is a benching area?” asked Jessie.
“Come on, I’ll show you,” said Caryn. They pushed through the doors and saw long, wide, low benches. The benches were divided into sections and above each section was a sign.
“The signs are the names of the breeds of dogs,” explained Caryn. “During the show, on the day your dog is being shown, you have to keep him or her in a special kennel in the section with other dogs of the same breed. Except when you’re in the show ring, or exercising your dog, of course.”
“Why?” asked Henry.
“Well, it’s a good way for all the people showing dogs to get to know each other better, I guess. And visitors to the show can come and see the dogs up close, and ask questions. If you’re interested in a particular breed of dog, like a golden retriever, it’s a good way to find out more about it.”
“There’s the sign for the golden retrievers,” said Violet.
“Oh, good. Now Sunny and I will know just where to go. Thank you, Violet,” said Caryn.
“Oh no, oh no!” A small, round woman with big brown eyes was standing at a benching area nearby, wringing her hands.
Caryn looked up. “Mrs. DeCicco, what’s wrong?”
“It’s Ruth Chin,” said Mrs. DeCicco. “You know, my assistant. She’s usually so reliable. But she hasn’t shown up yet. She was supposed to meet me here.”
“I’m sure she’ll be here at any moment,” said Caryn soothingly. “Mrs. DeCicco, I’d like
you to meet some friends of mine.” Caryn introduced the Aldens to Mrs. DeCicco.
“What kind of dogs do you show?” asked Jessie.
“Beagles,” said Mrs. DeCicco.
“Her beagles are famous,” said Caryn.
Mrs. DeCicco smiled a little, but she was still obviously very worried.
Violet said, “Um, Mrs. DeCicco?”
“Yes, dear, what is it?” asked Mrs. DeCicco, looking nervously around.
“Maybe we could help,” said Violet.
Abruptly, Mrs. DeCicco looked back at Violet. “What?”
“Yes,” said Henry. He put his hand on Violet’s shoulder. “What do you need done? We could help until your assistant gets here.”
“What a nice thought, dear, but … well … well, maybe you could, at that!” She studied the children thoughtfully for a moment, then repeated, “Maybe you could.”
“They’re very good with Sunny,” Caryn put in.
Mrs. DeCicco nodded. “Very well, then. I’m staying at the Lamplighter Inn, just down the road, where most of the show people are staying. If you could come this afternoon and help me exercise my dogs, I would appreciate it.”
“We’d be glad to,” said Jessie.
“Lovely, lovely. Then I’ll just leave a message for Ruth at the information desk, in case she shows up, and I’ll meet you at the inn this afternoon at four o’clock.”
“At four o’clock,” repeated Henry carefully.
“Wow,” said Benny. “We have a job at the dog show.”
Caryn smiled at Benny. “You sure do. I think you’ll enjoy it. Meanwhile, I think it’s time for lunch for all of us.”
“I like lunch,” said Benny.
“Me, too, Benny,” laughed Caryn. “Me, too.”
CHAPTER 4
Dog Walking
The Lamplighter Inn seemed to be just as full of people and dogs and hustle and bustle as the Greenfield Center had been.
“How will we find Mrs. DeCicco?” asked Benny, staring.
“We’ll ask at the desk,” said Henry.
He led the way to the inn’s front desk and asked for Mrs. DeCicco’s room. Soon the Aldens were on their way to the north side of the inn.
“Here’s her room,” said Jessie. She knocked crisply on the door.
A few moments later, Mrs. DeCicco answered it. She looked just as flustered as before.
“Oh, good, I’m so glad you came. Ruth is still missing. It’s not at all like her …” Mrs. DeCicco stepped back and motioned for the Aldens to come inside.
Along one side of the room were the dogs, in three large wire cages with flat metal bottoms. Each cage had a different blanket in it, along with dog toys and bowls for food and water. A small plaque above the door of each cage had the dog’s name and the name DeCicco Kennels.
Mrs. DeCicco handed Violet, Henry, and Jessie each a leash, and began opening the cages. She lifted the first beagle out. “This is Sally. Good girl,” she crooned as Sally wriggled and began to lick her face. Handing Sally to Henry, she reached for the next beagle. “Here’s Gloria. She’s Sally’s mother.” Gloria and Sally looked exactly alike. Jessie took Gloria and clipped the leash to the dog’s collar as Henry had done with Sally.
“And this,” said Mrs. DeCicco, opening the last cage, “is Joe.” She handed Joe to Violet.
“What about me?” asked Benny.
“You can carry their dog biscuits,” said Mrs. DeCicco. “If they behave on their walk, you may give them each a dog biscuit at the end of it.”
“Oh, good,” said Benny. He took the three dog biscuits and put them carefully in his shirt pocket.
“Give them a brisk half-hour walk,” instructed Mrs. DeCicco. “Don’t let them dawdle too much.” She had to raise her voice, for the beagles had begun to bay and leap up in excitement, and then to pull the children toward the door of the hotel room.
“See you in half an hour!” called Mrs. DeCicco as the Aldens and the beagles hurried out.
The Alden children didn’t have to worry about getting the beagles to walk briskly. They trotted along the street in front of the hotel, heads down and ears flying, sniffing everything. People smiled and nodded as they passed, recognizing Mrs. DeCicco’s prizewinners. One woman said, “Ah, the DeCicco beagles. Are you helping Mrs. DeCicco?”
“Yes we are,” Henry said.
“It’s too bad she didn’t have a beagle for you to walk, too,” the woman said, turning to Benny. She motioned to the little dog she was walking. “Would you like to walk Britty for a little while?”
“That would be great!” Benny said, looking down at the woman’s long, skinny dog. “He looks like a hot dog!”
“He’s a dachshund,” the woman told him. “I’ll wait for you here.”
Benny took the leash and the children continued their walk. As they were passing the Greenfield Center, Benny exclaimed “Uh-oh!” and backed up into Jessie.
“What is it, Benny?” Jessie asked.
Benny pointed, his eyes round. A very big black-and-white spotted dog with a square head and pointed ears was being led on a leash toward them.
“Wow,” breathed Violet. “That’s a huge dog.”
“Excuse me,” said Henry. “What kind of dog is that?”
The tall, thin woman holding the dog’s leash smiled down at them. “He’s a Great Dane. We call him Berries. Because of his spots, you see?”
Berries lowered his head toward Benny and wagged his tail.
“Is he friendly?” Benny asked.
“Very. Great Danes are a very friendly breed,” the woman said.
“I don’t know …” Benny said, backing away nervously.
“How about if your brother holds his leash, and you can pat Berries,” the woman offered.
Handing Sally’s leash to Jessie, Henry took Berries’s leash, feeling a bit nervous himself. But Berries stayed perfectly calm. Benny reached out and patted Berries’s head. Berries lowered his head even more and his tail wagged harder.
“He likes that,” the woman said. “Well, I think Berries and I had better be on our way.” Henry returned Berries’s leash to her. “Come, Berries,” she said.
After they had left, Benny turned to his sisters and brother. “He looked like he would be big and mean,” said Benny.
“That just goes to show you can’t judge by appearances,” Henry said.
“Yes, but you should never pet strange dogs without asking their owners first,” Jessie told Benny.
They had now gone all the way around the block, and they saw Britty’s owner waiting for them.
“Thank you for letting me walk her,” Benny said, giving her the leash.
“Thank you,” the woman replied.
As they were heading back to the hotel, the Aldens passed lots of other people and dogs.
There were two full-coated collies being walked by a stately man with long, flowing golden hair, and a bulldog being walked by a thickset old man with a mashed-in nose.
“You know, some people look just like their dogs,” whispered Violet.
“It’s true,” said Jessie. “Oh look! Excuse me, what kind of dog is that?”
A short, stout woman with very short, very white hair stopped and smiled at them, while her dog pulled on his leash and grinned a doggy grin. “She’s an English bull terrier,” said the woman. “Her name is Shug.”
They all looked at Shug, who also had very short white hair and was very solidly built. “She looks like a nice dog,” said Jessie politely.
“Oh, she is when she wants to be,” said the woman cheerfully as Shug pulled her in the opposite direction.
Just then a large, shaggy dog bounded around from behind and stopped in front of them. It was clear from his excited wiggling that he wanted to play. He didn’t have a tail, but his whole back end was wagging.
“A sheepdog!” cried Violet.
“An Old English sheepdog, actually,” said a voice behind them. A man in a rumpled gray suit, with shaggy gray hair, came
up to them.
“He’s beautiful,” said Violet.
“Thank you,” said the man. “He’s a champion — Champion Burger Plum Pudding.”
“What a funny name,” said Benny.
The man raised an eyebrow. “Burger is the name of my kennel where he was born and bred. Plum is from his father’s name — Plum Best, you know — and Pudding is from his mother’s name, Proof of the Pudding.”
“Oh,” said Benny. “Hello, Burger Plum Pudding.” He began to pat the dog’s head.
“I call him ‘Plum’ for short,” said the man, smiling.
“Like Sunny!” said Benny.
“Sunny?” The man abruptly stopped smiling and his eyes narrowed. “Sunny?”
“That’s the dog who’s staying with us. She has a longer name, but the Teagues call her Sunny for short.” Henry explained.
“The Teagues,” repeated the man. “Well, well, well.”
“Do you know the Teagues?” asked Jessie eagerly.
The man stared at them, then turned abruptly without answering. “Come, Plum,” he ordered, and stalked away.
Plum hesitated. He liked having Benny pat his head.
“Now,” ordered the man sharply.
Plum reluctantly obeyed.
“I wonder what that was all about,” said Jessie, frowning as she watched the man march away with Plum trailing along behind him.
“I don’t think he liked us,” said Benny.
“He seemed to like us fine at first,” said Henry, puzzled. “Until we mentioned Sunny. Oh, well, our half hour with these guys is almost up. We’d better get back. We don’t want Mrs. DeCicco to worry.”
“Do you think Sunny knows Plum?” asked Violet.
“We can ask tonight,” said Jessie.
“I think that would be a very good idea!” agreed Henry.
“Is it a mystery?” asked Benny.
“Maybe it is, Benny,” said Henry. “Maybe it is.”
CHAPTER 5
The Mysterious Man
That night after dinner, as the Alden children sat on the wide front porch with their grandfather and the Teagues, Jessie said, “Mrs. Teague, do you know someone who has a dog named Plum?”