When Cap, with only a cane for support, came to the kitchen door, he laughed. Look at you! The suns barely up, and you already have breakfast started. Where are the boys? Henrys out taking care of Pilot, and Benny is gathering eggs, Jessie told him....
Caps voice was gentle again as he turned to Susie and her brother. Does your mother know about this treasure hunt of yours? Oh, no, Susie cried, her eyes wide with fright. She would never let us do it. She must never find out. But we simply had to he...
Henry watched the barn loft for Jessies signal. He pushed the chicken yard gate open a little wider so he could make a faster getaway. Just as he saw the three quick blinks of light at the loft window, something shot past him through the open gate to...
That night they talked a long time. They went over their plan until each of them knew exactly what to do. They talked so late that Thursday morning came too fast. Again the sky was dark and overcast. As they sat down for breakfast, Cap said, Not much...
We need a really good grocery list, Jessie told the others. Cap wants Grandfathers dinner to be special. And its our last chance to cook for Cap, Henry added. Everyone wanted to add something. It was late when they finally finished the list and went...
Nothing new in town, I guess, Cap said when the boys had brought in the groceries and brushed Pilot down. The new thing is going to be here, Henry told him. Cap listened to him explain about putting up the floodlight and examined it carefully. Thats...
The girls left Cap and Doodle dozing on the front porch. Violet climbed a tree and handed the apples down to Jessie. When her bucket was half full, Jessie stepped back and fell flat, her apples rolling off in all directions. What happened? Violet ask...
Violet woke up just before dawn. She dressed silently, thinking of what would taste the best for breakfast. She decided on French toast with honey. She took down the egg basket, wishing the sun would come up faster. The minute she stepped outside, th...
When Jessie woke up again, she heard a lot of different sounds. The horse whinnied in the barn as Henry talked to it. She heard the chickens fussing in their yard, and a noise like a kitten crying Mew over and over. Violet was in the kitchen putting...
Benny finished the last of the milk in his pink cup and handed it to Violet. He frowned, still thinking about Caps accident. You might feel closer to people if you had your telephone fixed, he said. I had that thing disconnected myself, Cap told him...
After they left the ship, the children decided that they needed to call Cap Lambert the very first thing. Can I just sit some place and wait? Benny asked. My legs feel funny when I walk. Mine do, too, Jessie said. Those are our sea legs. Well get our...
The boys got their unpacking done before the girls had finished. Now can we go and explore? Benny asked, almost jumping up and down with excitement. Go on ahead, Violet told him. Were almost through. Well meet you up on deck. The cabins were small an...
Outside in the woods, a cool breeze stirred. Inside the boxcar, the four Alden children were hot from their hard work. Finally twelve-year-old Jessie stood up. Now that is what I call clean, she said, smiling at her two brothers and her ten-year-old...