The Happy Hollisters and the Mystery at Missile Town
Two One Holly went on her voice rising with excitement Just then the back door of their home burst open and a little dark-haired girl raced out Pete Pam Ricky Holly she cried Come into the house quick Hold the shot Pete commanded his rocket crew Sue you spoiled our launching Sue paid no attention She raced across the lawn as fast as her chubby legs could travel At four she was the youngest of the children and fondly loved by them all (cid:30) e little girl dashed to Pete’s side then tugged him by the hand Come on everybody Has something happened Pete asked You’ll see It’s a secret Hey Ricky called I want to hear it too Me three Pam declared She inched toward the edge of the sloping roof and scrambled down the ladder by which she had reached her watching post Meanwhile Ricky had shinned down the pole Together the (cid:31) ve children raced for the house (cid:30) ey found their mother a slender pretty woman with a happy smile seated on the living-room couch an open letter in her hands What’s so important about a letter Ricky asked Sue rather disappointed It’s from Aunt Carol the little girl replied and it came extra-special-delivery air mail Didn’t it delivery air mail Didn’t it delivery Mommy Without waiting for a reply Sue continued to bubble And on the back Randy and Sharon wrote SWAK 10
e countdown neared zero 11
Pam smiled at her little sister for she too abbrevi ated Sealed with a Kiss on the letters she wrote to her cousins in Florida As the children crowded about Mrs Hollister un folded the letter from her sister Mrs Davis Inside it was a photograph Is it a picture of Sharon and Randy asked Holly standing on tiptoe to look over Ricky’s shoulder No Mrs Hollister replied and held the picture for the children to see It was the photo of a small monkey How cute Who is she Is she a new pet Mrs Hollister read from the back of the picture (cid:30) is is Lady Rhesus who once was shot into outer space Yikes Ricky exclaimed Who owns her I’ll read you the letter his mother said her eyes twinkling Dear Elaine John and Children How about paying us a visit (cid:30) e sooner the better We’d love to see you all I know you would enjoy watching the great missile launched and you children should love playing with Lady Rhesus I am enclosing her picture She has been retired from trips to outer space and is now the pet of Miss Mott a friend of mine 12
Walter and I send our love as do Sharon and Randy Aunt Carol How exciting exclaimed Pam Crickets A trip to Cape Kennedy Pete shouted must go Holly said throwing her arms We just must go Holly said throwing her arms must about her mother’s neck I want to play with Lady Rhesus And I want to see a real rocket (cid:23) y to the moon Ricky added (cid:30) ere are many things to be considered before we can make the trip Mrs Hollister said Like who’ll take care of our pets Pam asked (cid:30) e Happy Hollisters had a collie dog named Zip a mother cat White Nose with (cid:31) ve cuddly kittens and a burro called Domingo He stayed in a stall in the garage If we do go when will it be Pam asked Your father and I will have to discuss it her moth er replied Perhaps Mrs Hollister stopped speaking as a loud braying noise came from the garage (cid:30) at’s Domingo Pete said stepping toward the door (cid:30) e burro often did this when someone walked into the garage I’ll bet Joey’s here again Ricky cried out He and Pete ran into the yard and glanced around Nobody was in sight When the brothers looked in the garage Domingo tossed his head and brayed again 13
