The Mystery of the Velvet Gown

have taken Reddy out the way you did. I think you’ve learned your lesson tonight—the hard way. Now, young man, you owe Miss Darcy an apology.”
    Bobby’s lower lip trembled as Miss Darcy stooped down to meet him at eye level. “Bobby,” she explained slowly, “it was an accident, and I’m sorry—very, very sorry. But sometimes things happen that we can’t possibly know will happen. Dr. Samet says that Reddy will be all right and that he can come home in a couple of days. I hope we can still be friends,” she said, extending her right hand.
    Bobby stared at her for several moments and then finally nodded and shook her hand. “I’m sorry, too,” he said in a small voice.
    “Thank you, Bobby,” Eileen Darcy said sincerely.
    “Trixie, will you please take Bobby up to bed now?” Helen Belden asked.
    “I should be going,” Miss Darcy said. “I’ll take Honey home and spend the night there.”
    “Miss Trask is waiting for us,” Honey said. “I called her and told her what happened.”
    The Beldens bid Honey and Miss Darcy goodnight and watched as they drove away.
    “Whew! This certainly has been an eventful evening,” Mart said, sighing.
    “Yes, and it’s time for everyone to get to bed,” Mr. Belden added.
    Upstairs, Trixie tucked Bobby into bed, assuring him that Reddy was sound asleep and that his leg wasn’t “hurting awfully.” She was exhausted, but she sat with him until he went to sleep, which didn’t take the overtired little boy very long. Poor kid, Trixie thought, kissing his cheek. This must have been one of the roughest nights of his life. Maybe of mine, too. She sighed and headed for her own room.
    Tired as she was, she couldn’t help going over the evening’s events while she was undressing. She frowned, wondering why Miss Darcy had decided to drive all the way out there on such a snowy night, especially when she had already told Miss Trask she wasn’t coming. And that letter, Trixie thought. Who gets mail that late in the evening?
    Then she sighed wearily and climbed into bed. Stop asking yourself all those questions, Trixie reprimanded herself, or you’ll never get to sleep. And maybe you’re just being nosy, she thought, cringing at the memory of Jane Morgan’s words. But still....

First Rehearsal ● 4

    ALL THE BELDENS had a difficult time believing that morning had come so soon when their alarms sounded at 7:00 A.M.—all, that is, except Bobby. Mr. Belden, who woke up early to start the morning coffee, found Bobby in the kitchen packing Reddy’s toys and dog food in a small suitcase.
    “What are you doing?” Peter Belden asked sleepily.
    “I’m getting ready to visit Reddy in the hopsital. He needs his food and his ball and his....”
    “Hold on there, young man!” Mr. Belden laughed. “Reddy’s in the hospital to rest, and Dr. Samet has food there for him. Besides, you have to go to school first. Then your mother will take you to visit Reddy.”
    “But, Daddy…”
    “No buts, ands, or anything. Now go get ready for school,” Mr. Belden said, smiling at his youngest son.
    “Aw, shucks,” Bobby mumbled to himself and slowly started up the stairs. “What if Reddy forgets all about me?” he called over his shoulder.
    “Who could forget you, half-pint?” Mart called down the stairs. “Especially when you’re making such a racket so early in the morning!” Soon all the Beldens were up and seated at the breakfast table. “I’m going to call Dr. Samet before we leave for school, to check on Reddy,” Trixie said.
    “Can I talk to Reddy,” Bobby asked, “so I can tell him I’m coming to visit?”
    “I don’t think Reddy will be able to come to the phone,” Trixie chuckled, “but I’ll ask Dr. Samet to tell him.”
    “You’d better hurry up. You’re running behind this morning, and the bus will be here soon,” Mrs. Belden told her three eldest children. “In fact, soon is the wrong word —now is more appropriate,” she said, glancing out the window.
    Trixie, Brian, and Mart raced for their hats, coats, and gloves.
    “All these arctic accoutrements are so burdensome,” Mart complained, pulling on his boots.
    “Phone the vet from school, if you want to,” Mrs. Belden called after the trio as they raced to meet their bus. “And have a nice day!”
    Trixie collapsed on the seat across from Honey and Di, who both immediately asked about Reddy.
    “I told Di the whole story, of course,” Honey said.
    “I didn’t have time to