The Mystery in Arizona

shrugged. “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good. If they hadn’t left, I would not have had a job.” She turned to Di. “I think you would perhaps like to see the suite of rooms which your uncle occupies. Come with me while I show the boys where they will stay.”
    After they had gone, Trixie and Honey unpacked, and Trixie said:
    “None of this makes any sense. According to Uncle Monty, there is a terrific shortage of household help at all of the ranches, so Rosita wouldn’t have any trouble getting a job. Even if the Orlandos hadn’t left, I mean. So why did she seem to be so grateful for this job?”
    “I don’t know,” Honey replied. “What bothers me is our own job. Are we supposed to start right out working, Trix? If so, what’ll we wear? If not, shouldn’t we get sort of dressed up?”
    “I can’t answer those questions,” Trixie said wearily. “It’s too late for us to do anything like dusting or making beds, but I imagine the boys will have to wait on the tables tonight. If not, the guests will have to wait on themselves.”
    Di came back then. “I just had a conference with Uncle Monty, and he wants us to start to work right away, if we can bear it. I told him we could.” She sighed. “What else could I say?”
    “Oh, you had to tell him that we’d be glad to help out right away,” Honey agreed. “But what are we supposed to do, and what’ll we wear?”
    “I haven’t the vaguest idea,” Di replied dolefully. “Let’s wear our sweaters with the matching skirts. Then we’ll look sort of as though we’re in uniform.”
    “Okay,” said Trixie. “But I certainly hope we don’t have to wait on the tables. I’d be sure to spill soup down somebody’s neck and drop pie or ice cream on everybody’s lap, especially if they’re old and dignified people.”
    Di laughed. “You wouldn’t do anything of the kind, Trix. You’re not really clumsy at all, although you keep saying you are. Anyway, you don’t have to worry about spilling soup, pie, or ice cream on anybody but yourself. The boys are going to wait on the tables.”
    “Great!” Trixie said enthusiastically.
    Di went on through the bath to her own room to unpack and change her clothes. Honey and Trixie finished their own unpacking and donned their sweaters and skirts. Then they joined Di.
    “I like Rosita a lot,” Trixie remarked, perching on the edge of Di’s bed. “Don’t you?”
    “She’s simply darling,” Di replied. “Wait until you meet Maria. She’s so pretty and sweet. And her little boy, Petey, reminds me so much of Bobby, except, of course, that he has black hair and black eyes.”
    “That reminds me,” said Honey. “We must all send telegrams home saying we arrived safely. I’ll do it for all of us, if you like, while you finish dressing, Di.”
    “Fine,” Trixie said, and Di said:
    “Don’t send one for me, Honey. Daddy is talking to Mother on the phone right now. At least, he was when I left Uncle Monty’s suite.”
    “Oh,” said Honey. “That gives me an idea. I think I’d like to talk to my own mother instead of sending a telegram. How do you feel about it, Trixie?” Trixie thought for a minute. “No,” she finally said. “I think a telegram from me and the boys would be best. If I heard Moms’s voice, I’m afraid I might get homesick.”
    “How right you are!” Honey agreed with a smile. “A wire is safest.” She hurried off.
    “How do you feel about Rosita?” Trixie asked Di. “I mean, don’t you think it’s kind of mysterious the way she turned up suddenly asking for a job this very morning?”
    Di yanked her slipover on before replying. “No, I don’t think it’s mysterious at all,” she said flatly. “A lot of people get temporary employment during their vacations.”
    “True,” said Trixie, “but why doesn’t she wear some jewelry? All Navahos adore it. And why did she look so sad when Uncle Monty mentioned her jewelry?”
    “I didn’t notice that she did,” Di said, slipping on her cardigan. “And she probably isn’t wearing any jewelry because she feels it wouldn’t be in good taste.” She started for the door and lowered her voice. “There is something mysterious going on, but it has nothing to do with Rosita.”
    “What?” Trixie demanded excitedly.
    Di shook her head. “There’s not time to talk about it now. Come on. Honey must have sent those wires by this time.”
    The dining room turned out to be even larger than the huge