Read The Mystery in Arizona for Free Online Page A

guidebook.”
    Trixie tossed her blond curls. “You probably don’t know, either, that Navaho husbands are terrified of their mothers-in-law. In fact, they never meet face to face if they can possibly avoid it, because it is believed that if they should look at each other, one or both of them will become blind or wither away.” Mart started to laugh, but Babs, bringing the boys’ trays, joined in the conversation then. “Trixie is right. Navaho women are greatly respected by their men. At the squaw dances the girls choose their own partners, and, when they marry, young couples live with the wife’s family in a nearby hogan.”
    She shook her head, smiling faintly. “In Navaho-land there is no such thing as a dependent woman. When the widowed grandmother becomes aged, a healthy young boy or girl is given to her so that she will receive proper care and affection until she joins her ancestors.”
    Everyone, even the boys, listened attentively as she continued in her soft, low voice. “Contrary to general belief, Indian marriages are not arranged by the parents. A girl may remain unmarried all of her life, if she chooses, without receiving any criticism whatsoever. But both Navaho and Apache girls have coming-out parties. I made what you might call my debut at the ceremony of the Big Wickiup, which lasts for three days. You can imagine how much it cost my father to provide food for many guests during all that time. But he has never once scolded me for deciding to have a career instead of getting married.
    Mr. Lynch, from his seat across the aisle, laughed. “You’re still too young to be considered an old maid, Miss Slater,” he said.
    Smiling, Babs took his tray and went back to the galley for dessert and coffee.
    When they had all finished lunch, Brian said sternly to Trixie, “Study hall is that empty seat way up in front. Come on. We’re going to do fractions and then more fractions. By the time we land in
    Tucson, you should be able to reduce at least a few of the more simple fractions to the lowest common denominator.”
    Trixie groaned. “I’d like to reduce you to the lowest speck of dust on earth.” But she meekly followed him up the aisle and studied hard until the plane circled above Tucson and came down to land at the Municipal Airport.
    “Welcome to the Sunshine City!” Di’s uncle called to them as they followed the crowd into the waiting room. Mr. Wilson was not much taller than Jim, but he was so thin that he looked much taller. Like his sister, Di’s mother, he had very blue eyes which usually twinkled merrily.
    But now, although he greeted them cordially, Trixie sensed that he was worried about something. His eyes were frowning in spite of the broad grin on his weather-beaten face, and right away he drew Mr. Lynch and Di off to a far comer of the waiting room.
    While the boys were collecting the luggage, Trixie whispered to Honey, “Did you notice how worried Mr. Wilson seems? I’ll bet he wishes we hadn’t come now.”
    Honey nodded. “I wonder what could have happened. He certainly wanted us very much when he telephoned Mrs. Lynch on Friday morning. What happened during the weekend to change his mind?”
    “I have no idea,” Trixie moaned. “Oh, look at Di.
    She’s on the verge of tears.”
    “So am I,” Honey admitted. “Oh, Trixie! I have a feeling that we’re going to be sent back home on the next plane!”

Trixie Solves a Problem • 5

    DI’SHUGE VIOLET EYES were filled with tears as she and her uncle and father came slowly across the waiting room to join the others.
    “Under the circumstances,” Trixie heard Mr. Lynch say, “I am forced to agree with you. I’ll make arrangements right now so that the kids can be flown back home tomorrow morning.”
    “It’s a shame,” Mr. Wilson said sorrowfully. “I wouldn’t have had it happen for the world.”
    The boys stared at him in speechless amazement. “But I don’t understand, sir,” Jim finally got out.
    “I’ll