The Happy Hollisters and the Punch And Judy Mystery
I’ll show you Punch said in his squeaky voice if you’ll look yonder over the lake As the unwary creature turned his head Punch disappeared and came up with a stick Whack Whack He hit the long green snout Take that and that for getting me wetter than I would have been Punch shouted gleefully Just then the youngsters who were looking on enthralled became aware of another noise From behind the puppet stage Joey Brill and Will Wilson came racing across the lawn toward the audience They ran about ten feet apart holding a clothesline between them Stop Pam cried out Or else you’ll hit Before she had a chance to finish her sentence the bullies knocked the Punch and Judy booth flat Pete was thrown to the ground as the rope caught him behind the shoulders Punch went flying in one direction the monster in another The neighborhood children were stunned for a moment as Joey and Will dropped the rope and sped off as fast as their legs could carry them Oh you Holly cried stamping her foot Joey you’re meaner than Punch Ricky raced after them but the two bullies outdistanced him He returned red-faced with anger That Joey Brill better watch out he declared He’s going to be sorry By this time Pete had untangled himself from the booth
Stop
Are you all right Pam asked her brother Pete rubbed a bump on his forehead ruefully I guess I am he said Where’s Zip Here Zip he called out The Hollisters beautiful collie dog jumped from a clump of cattails growing along the shore not far from the Hollisters house He bounded across the yard and circled around Pete bobbing his head and whining I want you to keep a lookout for Joey and Will Pete told the dog Don’t let them come in the yard while we’re putting on our show Zip barked sharply three times walked over to the side of the driveway and lay down in the grass with his head between his forepaws Now we can go on with the show in peace Pete declared Do we still have our money he called out to Dave Mead His friend jiggled the tin can making the pennies jump up and down It’s not fifty pounds Dave said but at least it’s a start Then he added Look here come more customers Across the lawn walked two women and a small girl With a squeal of excitement Ann Hunter jumped up It’s my mother Our company came She raced toward them The woman and the girl with Mrs Hunter both were very pretty with jet black hair gray eyes and fair complexions After Ann had greeted them she led the way over to her playmates I would like you to meet Mrs Boschi and her daughter Nada Ann said They’re from Italy and are going to stay with us for a few days before they
return Mrs Hunter explained that Mrs Boschi was a famous dress designer who was in this country on business Pam said they were glad to meet the visitors and asked Nada how old she was I am nine years replied the Italian girl saying the words carefully Her glossy hair was straight and cut in bangs Where’s her father Holly whispered to Ann The older girl bent close to Holly’s ear He’s not living she answered Just then Ricky spoke up We’re having a Punch and Judy show he said You want to see it He pointed to the booth which Pete and Dave had readied again But when the little visitor looked up at the puppet stage she burst into tears Oh my goodness Pam said worried What’s the matter Nada
