Copycat Mystery Read Online Free Page A

frown crossed Benny’s round face. “It’s kind of funny she got so upset.”
    Jessie didn’t think it was funny at all. “Can you believe how rude she was?”
    “We will do a good job,” declared Benny. “Won’t we?”
    “Sure we will,” said Henry. Then he added honestly, “At least, we’ll do our best. Nobody can ask more than that.”
    Violet sighed. She was having second thoughts about working at the farmhouse. What if they had to talk in front of large tour groups?
    As if reading her thoughts, Jessie said, “Don’t worry, Violet.” She knew that her sister was often shy and nervous around strangers. “I’ll ask Gwen if we can work together until you feel comfortable.”
    Violet gave her sister a grateful smile. Jessie always knew just what to say to make her feel better. “Are you sure Gwen won’t mind?”
    “Gwen will want you to feel comfortable,” Aunt Jane assured them.
    Benny grinned. “I guess we really will find out what it was like in the olden days.”
    “I think it will be a great experience,” said Aunt Jane. “And the farmhouse can really use your help,”
    On the drive to their aunt’s, Benny said, “I wonder why Sharon was acting so weird.”
    Aunt Jane thought about this for a moment. Then she said, “I’m afraid Gwen and her sister don’t always see eye to eye.”
    Benny made a face. “What does that mean?”
    “It means they don’t always get along,” Henry told him.
    “Oh,” said Benny.
    “Gwen’s been like a mother to Sharon ever since their parents died a few years ago,” Aunt Jane explained. “But Sharon’s getting older. She wants to do things by herself. I think that causes problems between them sometimes.”
    The Aldens looked at one another. They were each thinking how lucky they were to get along so well.
    Aunt Jane sighed. “It’s a shame. Opening week is hard enough for Gwen without Sharon getting upset.”
    “Well, we can’t do anything about Sharon,” Benny put in. “But if that copycat plays any more practical jokes, we’ll get to the bottom of it.”
    “I’m sure you will, Benny,” said Aunt Jane. “I’m sure you will.”

CHAPTER 4
A Trick of the Eye
    The next morning, as soon as they had finished breakfast, the Alden children took the bikes that Aunt Jane kept for them and set off along the quiet country road. A gentle breeze was stirring the long grass and the birds were singing up a storm when they turned off the road onto the tree-lined driveway that led to the Historic Wagner Farmhouse.
    “Look!” Benny shouted, pointing to the sign hanging from its post. “It’s still right where it belongs.”
    Henry nodded. “So far, so good.”
    “I’ve never been a tour guide before,” Benny said excitedly as he walked his bike beside Henry’s to the back of the farmhouse.
    “It will be fun to dress up in Victorian costumes,” admitted Violet. She sounded as excited as Benny.
    Leaving their bikes behind the old woodshed, they made their way around to the front of the house. When Benny knocked on the door, Jessie looked over at Henry. “Do you think Sharon will be any friendlier today?”
    Henry shrugged. “I don’t know what to think. But I guess we’ll soon find out.”
    They waited for a moment, then Benny knocked on the door again. “I hope Gwen didn’t forget about us,” he said, sounding worried.
    “Not a chance!” said a voice behind them.
    The children whirled around and saw Gwen coming up the porch steps. They hardly recognized her. She was wearing blue track pants and a white T-shirt, and her blond hair was pulled back into a pony-tail.
    “You haven’t been waiting long, have you?” she asked.
    “Oh, no,” Violet assured her. “We just got here.”
    Gwen led them along the wraparound porch to the far side of the house. “Let me show you the office first.” Unlocking the door, she said, “This is the only room in the house that doesn’t look the way it did during the Victorian era. Back then, it was a