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fork. “Carl Mason does a good job, but I’m afraid I don’t share his views on everything. People often think of museums as boring and stuffy. Carl Mason’s prim and proper attitude isn’t going to do much to change that.”
    “It’s funny that Horace wasn’t prim and proper,” Violet said, “even though he lived in the Victorian era. But Mr. Mason is prim and proper, and he doesn’t live in the Victorian era.”
    Aunt Jane nodded. “It doesn’t make sense, does it? It’s almost as if some people were born in the wrong century.”
    They grew quiet as they feasted on their delicious dinner. But when Benny started to pile his plate a second time, Aunt Jane spoke up. “Don’t forget to leave room for dessert,” she said. “It just so happens, we’re having something very special tonight.”
    Benny’s eyes lit up. “Something special?”
    Aunt Jane nodded as she took a sip of her iced tea. “A new ice-cream parlor just opened up in town. I thought we might give it a try. What do you think?”
    Everyone thought it was a great idea. As they cleared the table, Henry had an idea, too. “When we’re in town,” he told them, “we can check out the pet store.”
    Handing Benny more dishes, Violet gave Henry a confused look. “The pet store?”
    “I think I know why,” said Jessie, who was standing at the sink, up to her elbows in soapsuds. “To find out if someone bought a canary recently. Right, Henry?”
    “Oh,” exclaimed Violet. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
    “It’s worth a shot,” said Henry as he reached for a dish towel.
    Benny was grinning from ear to ear. “I bet we find out who the copycat is in no time flat!”
    “I hope so, Benny,” said Henry. “I hope so.”
    Aunt Jane and the four children sat down together in an empty booth near the window of Elmford’s new ice-cream parlor after dropping Violet’s film off at the one-hour photo shop.
    “It certainly is busy in here,” commented Jessie as she glanced around at the crowded room with its decorations of brightly colored streamers and balloons.
    Aunt Jane ran her hand admiringly over the soft, lavender-colored seats. “There’s a two-for-one special going on all week. It’s bound to attract customers.”
    “Who’d want to pass up a deal like that?” exclaimed Henry as he opened a menu and glanced down at the long list of selections.
    It only took them a few minutes to decide what they wanted. Their order included a banana split for Henry, a waffle cone with two scoops of black cherry ice cream for Jessie, a chocolate sundae with extra chocolate sprinkles for Benny, and strawberry milk shakes for Violet and Aunt Jane.
    When the waiter brought their ice cream, Benny didn’t waste any time before digging right in. “Thanks, Aunt Jane,” he said. “This was a great idea.”
    The other Aldens nodded in agreement. “It’s a perfect way to end the day,” said Jessie as she handed everyone a napkin from the shiny new dispenser.
    Aunt Jane looked pleased. “It’s a well-deserved treat,” she said. “Sounds as if you had a very busy day at the farmhouse.”
    “Well, we did spend all afternoon helping with the laundry demonstration,” Henry said.
    Jessie nodded. “Now I know why Amanda Wagner didn’t like that chore!”
    “Yes,” said Violet. “It really was hard work in the olden days.”
    “They even had unhappy irons in the Victorian era!” added Benny.
    “Oh, Benny!” Jessie ruffled her younger brother’s hair. “They’re called sadirons. Remember, Gwen told us sad can also mean heavy. ”

    Aunt Jane nodded. “I’ve heard some of those sadirons weighed as much as fifteen pounds.”
    Suddenly familiar voices interrupted their conversation. When they looked over, they spotted Gwen and Sharon sitting at another booth. Sharon’s face was flushed, and her voice was raised in anger. Aunt Jane and the children didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but they couldn’t help overhearing. The two sisters were almost