儿童英语读物 The Disappearing Friend Mystery CHAPTER 3 At the Ice Cream Parlor
时间:2018-12-31 作者:英语课 分类:30 The Disappearing Friend Mys
“What have you been doing today?” asked Grandfather as they were finishing dinner that evening.
“We went shopping for Mrs. McGregor,” Henry answered. “And we met someone new.”
“A new friend?” Grandfather Alden smiled.
“She’s coming tomorrow to see our boxcar,” Benny said.
“And to meet Watch, Benny, don’t forget,” Jessie teased. “Her name is Beth Simon, and her family just moved into town, Grandfather. She’s going to help us with a project.”
“That sounds interesting,” said Grandfather.
“We’re going to help raise money for a new wing for the hospital,” explained Violet. “At the grocery store we saw a sign asking people to donate money.”
“An excellent idea.” Grandfather nodded approvingly. “The hospital needs a new wing. Having it will help many people.”
“But, Grandfather,” said Jessie, “we went by the hospital today, to find out more about the fund-raising. We spoke 1 to Mr. Alvarez, who’s in charge. While we were there, we heard a doctor arguing with him about the new wing.”
“Yes,” Henry said. “She was very angry. She said Silver City needed a new hospital more than the Greenfield Hospital needed a new wing.”
Grandfather’s eyebrows 2 drew together. “Some people did feel that way, when the new wing was first proposed,” he said. “But the County Board finally decided 3 that it would be better to have one big hospital all in one place. With two small hospitals, they would always need to buy two of everything. But with one big hospital, more money could be spent on the latest medical equipment.”
“That makes sense,” said Jessie thoughtfully. “I wonder why that doctor was so angry.”
“Anyway, we’re going to start a helping 4 service,” said Violet. “We will baby-sit, wash cars, run errands, and do whatever else people want done.”
“And maybe we’ll have a bake sale,” said Benny.
Then the Aldens all began to talk at once, telling their grandfather about Beth’s idea and the posters they planned to make and all the jobs they could do.
Grandfather laughed. “It all sounds good. But, meanwhile, why don’t we go to the ice cream parlor 5 for dessert? Is that a good idea?”
Benny bounced in his chair. “It’s a great idea, Grandfather!”
Soon the Alden family was driving along the quiet streets of Greenfield. Grandfather parked the car and they headed toward the ice cream parlor, with Benny leading the way.
“We can put posters in all these stores,”said Henry as they walked down Main Street.
“I’m sure you will have requests for all kinds of jobs,” said Grandfather.
In the ice cream parlor, several tables were full. But the Aldens found one near the corner. After a few minutes, the waitress came to take their order.
Henry had a double-scoop 6 cone 7 of chocolate chip mint. Jessie had peach ice cream with whipped cream in a bowl. Violet chose plain blackberry sherbet. She liked it because it was almost the shade of violets, her favorite color. Grandfather had one scoop of vanilla 8 with chocolate syrup 9. Benny asked for a banana split.
“Can you eat all that?” asked Grandfather.
“I’ll try very hard,” Benny promised, laughing.
“Okay,” said Grandfather. “And I’ll help you if you have trouble.”
“Okay,” said Benny.
Just then, Jessie saw a familiar figure. “Look! There’s Beth.”
The Aldens turned and saw Beth standing 10 at the counter. Her dark brown hair was pulled back with a red headband and she was wearing a skirt and a red-striped T-shirt.
Jessie jumped up. “I’ll go get her and then you can meet her, Grandfather,” she said.
Beth had just finished talking to the young woman behind the counter as Jessie came up. “Yes,” the woman said. “That’s plenty for four people.”
“Then that’s exactly what I want,” said Beth.
“Hi, Beth,” said Jessie.
Beth quickly turned around. She looked startled. “Oh!”
“Are you buying ice cream for your family, too?” asked Jessie.
“Yes,” said Beth.
“While they’re getting it ready, come meet our grandfather,” Jessie suggested happily.
“But, well, my ice cream will melt,” Beth objected.
“You’ll be back by the time they have it ready,” promised Jessie, leading Beth toward the table where all the Aldens were sitting.
“This is our grandfather, James Henry Alden,” said Jessie. “Grandfather, this is Beth Simon.”
Grandfather stood up. “Welcome to Greenfield, Beth. Would you like to join us?”
“No. Uh, I mean, no, thank you. Um, I can’t.” Beth said quickly. “I have to go. Good-bye.”
She hurried back to the counter, although her order wasn’t quite ready.
“I’ll write out the directions to our house on this napkin,” said Violet. “Just so she remembers.”
Violet began to scribble 11 down the directions. Jessie waved at Beth, motioning her to come over as she left the counter.
For a moment, Beth hesitated. It didn’t look as if she wanted to stop to talk to them again. But then she did.
“I wrote down the directions to our house,” said Violet, holding out the napkin. “Just in case you need them when you come over tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” said Beth.
“At ten o’clock—to make the posters to help raise money for the new hospital wing,” said Violet. “You haven’t forgotten, have you?”
“No. I didn’t forget. Ten o’clock,” repeated Beth. She reached eagerly for the instructions and tucked them in the pocket of her skirt. “Thanks. This will be a big help.”
“See you tomorrow, Beth,” the Aldens called after her as she started toward the door.
Pausing, Beth looked back. Then she nodded uncertainly and hurried out.
The Aldens ate their ice cream slowly and watched the other people in the shop.
“You ate all of yours,” Grandfather said as Benny finished the last bite of his banana split.
“This is the best ice cream I ever had,” said Benny.
“You always say that, Benny,” said Henry.
“It always is,” said Benny.
It was time to go home. As they drove toward their house, they talked about seeing Beth again.
“Beth seemed very nervous tonight,” Henry said. “I wonder why.”
“I think she’s just shy,” said Violet. “We should be extra nice to her until she feels more comfortable.”
“I think you’re right,” said Jessie. “And if we get a lot of jobs, Beth will learn her way around Greenfield in no time.”
“I guess you’re right.” Henry said. “It will be fun making posters and working together. That will help Beth feel more at home, too.”
Grandfather smiled as he listened to the children.
- They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
- The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
- Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
- His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
- This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
- There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
- The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
- By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
- She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
- Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店?
- In the morning he must get his boy to scoop it out.早上一定得叫佣人把它剜出来。
- Uh,one scoop of coffee and one scoop of chocolate for me.我要一勺咖啡的和一勺巧克力的。
- Saw-dust piled up in a great cone.锯屑堆积如山。
- The police have sectioned off part of the road with traffic cone.警察用锥形路标把部分路面分隔开来。
- He used to love milk flavoured with vanilla.他过去常爱喝带香草味的牛奶。
- I added a dollop of vanilla ice-cream to the pie.我在馅饼里加了一块香草冰激凌。
- I skimmed the foam from the boiling syrup.我撇去了煮沸糖浆上的泡沫。
- Tinned fruit usually has a lot of syrup with it.罐头水果通常都有许多糖浆。
- After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
- They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。