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it.
    â€œThat’s Brooklyn over there,” Jessie said. “And look! There’s a plane taking off at the airport!” Beyond Brooklyn they could see the ocean.
    To the south, they could see the tip of the island of Manhattan and lots of skyscrapers in an area Henry said was called Wall Street. “Those two really tall buildings are the World Trade Center — the Twin Towers. They’re even taller than the Empire State Building.”
    â€œWow!” Benny said. He could hardly believe it.
    Jessie pointed out the Statue of Liberty, in the harbor beyond the Twin Towers. It looked very tiny.
    The children walked around the observation deck, looking out at the city from all sides. There were even telescopes that you could look through for a quarter, and each of the children took a quick peek.
    When they had seen all they wanted to, the children went inside and took another elevator up to the very top — the 102nd floor. Emerging from the elevator, they found themselves in a tiny room. There was no outside deck here, but they peered out the windows at the city below, now even tinier.
    When they returned to the 86th floor, Benny said, “May we get a souvenir?”
    â€œSure,” said Jessie. The Aldens selected a small model of the Empire State Building and a postcard to send to Mrs. McGregor. Bobby bought a pencil sharpener and eraser shaped like the tall, pointed building.
    â€œShould we take a bus back?” Jessie asked when they were back down in the lobby.
    â€œLet’s walk for a little while and look around,” Violet suggested. “When we get tired, we can get on the bus.”
    â€œGood idea,” Henry said.
    â€œWhat about if we get hungry?” Bobby asked.
    â€œI think you and Benny are going to be good friends,” Jessie said with a laugh.
    â€œI’m hungry already,” said Benny.
    â€œHow about a hot dog?” Henry suggested. “There’s a vendor on the corner.”
    The man selling hot dogs was wearing a bright blue apron. He stood behind a metal cart topped by a blue-and-yellow striped umbrella. His cart held a steaming pile of large, soft pretzels covered with salt. There was also a pan of roasted chestnuts, which the man stirred with a long spoon, turning over the nuts as they browned. Hot dogs were cooking on a small barbecue. Bobby and Benny decided to share a hot dog with lots of mustard and ketchup. Henry got a hot pretzel with mustard, and Jessie and Violet each had a packet of roasted chestnuts. They walked as they ate, enjoying their snacks.

    â€œBe careful not to drip mustard on your clothes,” Henry told Benny and Bobby. But the boys were having too much fun eating and talking to listen.

CHAPTER 7
    Stuck!
    B ack at the hotel, Jessie suggested that they go for a swim.
    â€œYou want to see Mike, don’t you?” Henry teased.
    â€œ No, ” Jessie insisted. “I just thought it might be fun.”
    â€œI wonder if the pool has been cleaned yet,” Violet said.
    â€œThere’s only one way to find out,” said Benny.
    â€œYeah, let’s go see!” Ever since Bobby had heard about the purple pool up on the roof, he couldn’t wait to see it for himself.
    In the elevator, Jessie pushed P for pool. The doors closed, and the children felt the elevator start to rise.
    â€œLook,” Benny said to Bobby, pointing up to the mirror on the ceiling. He made a funny face at Bobby, who made a funny face back. The two boys were laughing when suddenly the elevator stopped. It sat perfectly still for several seconds, but the doors didn’t open.
    The children looked at each other, curiously. Two lights were lit up on the dial over the door — 8 and 9.
    â€œWhat’s happening?” Violet asked nervously.
    â€œIt looks like we’ve stopped between the eighth and ninth floors,” Henry said. “I’m sure we’ll be moving again in no time.”
    â€œYes,”