Read The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm for Free Online Page A

Jessie said.
    Henry and Jessie took cool water to Betty and Boots.
    “I could swim in a nice pond,” said Henry.
    “I could eat a nice sandwich,” said Jessie.
    When they went inside, Violet was feeding Benny.
    “Mama made fresh bread. Three loaves,” said Violet.
    “Is there chocolate?” asked Benny.
    “You wish for good things, Benny,” said Jessie.
    “I always wish for good things,” said Benny.
    “Even when they aren’t there,” said Violet with a smile. “Let’s go write a letter to William and Meg, Benny. You can draw a picture.”
    “I drew a picture of Betty,” said Benny. “Meg misses Betty.”
    Henry grinned at Jessie when they were gone.
    “Have you seen his Betty picture?” he asked.
    Jessie shook her head.
    “It is part horse, part cow,” said Henry.
    “That’s our Betty,” said Jessie.
    There was the sound of a car in the driveway.
    Henry went to the window.
    “Jess? It’s Sheriff Bowen,” Henry said slowly.
    The sheriff got out of the car. Rubin got out of the driver’s side.
    “Something’s wrong,” said Henry in a low voice. “You stay with Violet and Benny.”
    Jessie looked out the window, too.
    “No,” she said. “I’ll go out with you.”
    Henry took a deep breath.
    “Okay.”
    They walked out of the door and across the yard.
    “Hello,” said Henry.
    “Hello, Henry,” said the sheriff. “Jessie.”
    His face was very still.
    Henry and Jessie looked at each other.
    They knew.
    They knew in that moment.
    It was Rubin who told them.
    “There’s been an accident,” he said. “A bad accident.”
    He touched Henry’s arm.
    “They are gone,” said Rubin, beginning to cry.
    Henry didn’t cry because Rubin was crying.
    Jessie made a small sound that caused Henry to reach for her hand.
    Sheriff Bowen cleared his throat as if it was hard to talk.
    “It was a car accident,” he said. “A truck went through a stop sign.” His voice trailed off.
    “Someone has to take care of you,” he said.
    Henry looked quickly at him.
    “What do you mean?”
    “A relative,” said Sheriff Bowen. “A family member. You must have someone.”
    Jessie and Henry didn’t say anything.
    “Otherwise …” Sheriff Bowen stopped for a moment. “Otherwise …”
    “Tom!” said Rubin. “We’ll solve this without that. I can stay with them.”
    “You’re not family, Rubin,” said Sheriff Bowen. “The court wants family.”
    “Belle and I will stay with them,” said Rubin in a strong voice.
    “Wait,” Henry said softly.
    A little wind came up. Jessie’s hair blew against her cheek.
    “We have a grandfather,” said Henry.
    Jessie looked quickly at Henry.
    “I’ll contact him today,” said Henry.
    “We can do that for you,” said the sheriff.
    “What is his name? Where does he live?”
    “No,” said Henry firmly. “I want to do it. They were … They are our parents.”
    Sheriff Bowen sighed.
    “All right, then. I’ll stop by tomorrow afternoon to make sure he’s coming to get you.”
    “We’ll watch over them tonight,” said Rubin.
    The sheriff nodded and started to walk to his car, then turned.
    “I’m awfully sorry, Jessie, Henry. I am so, so sorry.” His voice was soft.
    “Thank you,” said Jessie.
    Henry nodded.
    The sheriff reached into this pocket and walked back to them.

    “I forgot. This was found in the front seat of the car.”
    He handed Jessie a small object.
    It was a small spool of brown thread.
    The wind had stilled. The sun was over the far meadow. Rubin had gone home, promising to come back later with dinner. Jessie and Henry had watched him leave. He reached out over the fence to stroke Betty, then Boots. He looked back at them once. His eyes were sad and dark.
    “What will we do?” whispered Jessie.
    She didn’t know why she whispered. Maybe it was because all that had happened was too sad to talk about out loud.
    “We aren’t calling Grandfather,” said Henry.
    “But you said—” Jessie began.
    “I know. We need time.