The next morning, the Aldens met Jimmy Phelps in front of the lodge. He was taking off his skates.
“Is breakfast over already?” Benny asked him. He couldn’t imagine anyone doing too much before eating.
“No,” Jimmy answered. “I was just working up an appetite.”
“I’m glad I don’t have to do that!” Benny commented.
“Benny likes to eat,” Jessie explained.
Jimmy smiled. His rosy cheeks became even rounder. “I figured that,” he said.
On their way into the lounge, Henry asked, “Did Mr. Mercer find the keys?”
Jimmy shook his head. “No,” he said. “I don’t know what he’ll do.”
Mr. Mercer stood just inside the door. He pointed to a table near the entrance. “Sign your names on those cards,” he said, “and put them into that big box.”
“Is that the box from the equipment shop?” Jessie asked.
Mr. Mercer shook his head. “No, the equipment shop is still locked. I’m going into town later to get a locksmith. He can make new keys.”
“We thought you might have to call off the games,” Henry said.
“Well, it is a problem not being able to get into the equipment shop. But, I’d never call off the games. Not for a little thing like a missing key,” Mr. Mercer assured them.
The Aldens went over to fill out the cards.
Their grandfather got up from his chair near the fire. “Good morning,” he called out.
“Good morning, Grandfather,” the children responded.
Freddy came in, pulling off her green knit hat. She was wearing a one piece ski outfit that was bright green, orange, and yellow. And she had on gloves to match!
“Did everybody sign up?” she called. “I want you all to have a chance to be on my team.”
Several children who hadn’t filled out the cards formed a line behind the Aldens. Everyone else headed for the dining room. Long tables were set with red-and-white checked tablecloths. At the front of the large, sunlit room, the longest table was filled with food: egg dishes, bacon, sausage, rolls, toast, pancakes, fruit, three kinds of juice, milk, coffee, tea — something for every taste.
“Everything looks so good,” Jessie commented. “It’s hard to know what to choose.”
Benny took a plate from the stack at the end of the table. “Take some of everything,” he advised his sister. “That way you won’t have to make hard decisions.”
Grandfather chose a toasted English muffin and a bowl of fruit; the younger Aldens took Benny’s advice.
After breakfast, Mr. Mercer went to the front of the room. Jimmy and Freddy followed with the box of names.
“Attention, everyone,” the man said. “It’s time to pick teams. Freddy and Jimmy are our team captains. As your name is called, please come up and join your leader.”
Everyone started talking excitedly.
Mr. Mercer hushed them. “I have to go into town to the locksmith,” he said. “So I’ll let your team captains take over.” He left the room.
Freddy reached into the box and pulled out a card. “Danny Cahill,” she read.
In the far corner of the room, a red-headed boy, about Benny’s age, stood up. He walked slowly to the front of the room.
Freddy greeted him with a broad smile. “Welcome to the winning team, Danny,” she said.
Jimmy picked out a name. He read it to himself; then looked up. He had a funny expression on his face. It was hard to tell whether he was happy about his choice, or sad. “Beth Markham,” he announced. “Last year’s top skater.”
Beth skipped to the front of the room, her ponytail swinging.
Two more team members were chosen.
Benny wiggled in his chair. “I can’t stand the suspense,” he whispered.
Henry was the first of the Aldens chosen. He would be on Jimmy’s team. Jessie and then Violet were picked for that team, too.
Benny glanced around the room. He and an older girl were the only ones whose names hadn’t been called.
It was Jimmy’s turn. “There are only two names left,” he said.
Benny leaned forward in his chair. “Hurry, hurry, hurry,” he urged silently.
Jimmy reached into the box. He drew out a card. He looked at it. He even turned it over.
Benny couldn’t sit still. He popped to his feet. “Hurry, hurry, hurry,” he repeated, but this time, he said the words aloud.
Everyone laughed. Benny was so embarrassed he sat down again.
Finally, Jimmy said, “And the last member of our team is…Benny Alden!”
His new teammates cheered.
Freddy called the last name, “Nan Foster!” and that team cheered as a short girl, who looked like she was about ten years old, slowly walked up. She seemed to be the only person in the room who wasn’t smiling.
Just then, Mr. Mercer appeared in the doorway, looking grim. “You’re not going to believe this,” he said.
“What happened?” Grandfather Alden asked.
“It’s my truck. The tires are flat,” he responded with disbelief. “All four of them!” |