The Mystery of the Purple Pool Read Online Free Page B

syrup!”
    â€œI’ll speak to Jane and see if we can get this straightened out,” Grandfather said. But try as he might, he couldn’t get her attention. Suddenly, it seemed as if everyone in the coffee shop needed something, and all the waiters and waitresses were running from table to table.

    â€œYes, I’ll get you a fresh omelette,” the Aldens heard Jane saying to one table. “Certainly I can bring you another bowl of oatmeal,” she said to another. “I just can’t understand what’s happening this morning,” she muttered to herself.
    At last she came to the Aldens’ table. “I believe the salt and sugar have gotten mixed up,” Grandfather told her.
    â€œWhat?” the weary-looking waitress said.
    â€œWe noticed that all our food tasted funny,” Jessie explained, “and so I checked the salt and sugar. They’ve been switched.”
    â€œReally! How did that happen?” Jane said. “I’ll bring you a new order right away. But I wonder …” She paused.
    â€œWhat are you wondering?” Henry asked.
    â€œWell, everyone’s had some kind of complaint this morning about their food,” she explained.
    â€œNot me!” said Benny, gobbling up the last bite of his pancakes.
    Jane smiled at Benny. “I wonder if the salt and sugar were switched at other tables, too.” She walked over to the table next to the Aldens’. “Could I borrow your salt and sugar?” she asked.
    â€œSure,” the man sitting there said gruffly. “I’m not eating another thing until you bring me some fresh coffee. This tastes terrible! I keep putting more sugar in it, and it just gets worse.”
    â€œRight away, sir,” she said. But first she did the same test Jessie had done earlier. “The salt and sugar on this table were mixed up, too,” she said after tasting each one. “I’m so sorry. I’ll bring you some fresh breakfast immediately.”
    â€œThank you,” Grandfather said. The Aldens watched as Jane motioned to the other waitresses and waiters. They stood talking in a corner for a moment, and then all of them disappeared into the kitchen. After a few minutes they came out carrying empty trays, and went from table to table, removing the saltshakers and sugar bowls.
    People were beginning to grow impatient. They complained loudly as they waited for fresh food to replace their salty cereal and sugary eggs. A number of guests got up, angrily muttering about “being too busy to wait.”
    â€œIt’s a good thing my meeting isn’t until eleven o’clock this morning,” Grandfather said. “I’ve got plenty of time to wait. But some people don’t.”
    â€œSome people are very angry,” Violet said.
    â€œLook, there’s Karen Walsh,” Benny said. “I thought she said she wasn’t hungry.”
    Karen Walsh was sitting at a table in the corner. Strangely enough, she seemed to be the only person in the restaurant, besides the Aldens, who looked calm. She was watching all the action with a small smile on her face. There was no food on her table, just a cup of coffee and a notebook, in which she was writing.
    A few moments later Don Parker came in, looking very worried. His red hair was a mess, and his shirt and tie were rumpled. It seemed that some of the guests had complained angrily at the front desk. Mr. Parker spoke briefly to the hostess of the coffee shop, and then went from table to table, apologizing and encouraging everyone to be patient. Their breakfasts would be served as soon as possible.
    The Aldens overheard one angry woman say, “Are you the manager of this hotel?”
    â€œWell, I’m the assistant manager,” Mr. Parker explained. “I couldn’t find the manager anywhere. But don’t worry, we’ll give you all a free breakfast to make up for this inconvenience.”
    â€œWon’t it