The Mystery at Maypenny's

explanation for Mr. Wheeler’s offering to sell part of the preserve to International Pine, I thought you meant a simple explanation. This is the most complicated thing I’ve ever heard of.”
    “Our sophisticated elucidation is causing mental torment for our simpleminded sibling,” Mart said. “Allow me to summarize. Point one: People need jobs. Point two: Animals and plants need land. Point three: These two needs are sometimes mutually exclusive. Point four: It’s a very emotional issue. Point five: There are going to be a lot more quarrels before this issue is settled.”
    “I’d say that’s a very accurate summary,” Mr. Belden said. “You’ve already heard of an argument between Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Maypenny, and you’ve seen one between Mr. Maypenny and Jim—and the proposed expansion isn’t even common knowledge yet.”
    “It will be soon,” Mrs. Belden said. “John Score is devoting all his time to circulating those petitions. It won’t be long before everyone in the area is taking sides on the issue.”
    “Which side did you take, Moms?” Trixie asked. “Did you sign the petition or not?”
    “I didn’t sign the petition,” Mrs. Belden said. “But that doesn’t mean I’ve taken a side. It’s just the opposite, in fact. I can see both sides of this issue a little too clearly to make up my mind one way or the other.”
    Trixie turned to her brothers. “What about you two? Which side are you taking?”
    Her brothers looked at each other, each wanting the other to speak first. Finally Brian broke the silence. “I don’t know, either, Trix,” he said. “I love that preserve, and I’d hate to see it changed. But I’d hate to see a whole way of life ruined, too. And that’s what will happen if the economy in Sleepyside goes bad. The small-town way of life will disappear. I need more time—and more facts—before I make up my mind.”
    “Brian said it all,” Mart said simply, too lost in thought to come up with his usual string of big words. “I only hope the issue can be settled without destroying too many friendships.”
    Thinking about the anger she’d seen on Jim’s face as he left Mr. Maypenny’s cottage, Trixie silently agreed.
    “One thing I do know,” Mr. Belden said. “We can’t settle this issue here tonight. I suggest we
    all get some sleep. We’ll have plenty of opportunity to make up our minds about International Pine’s expansion in weeks to come. In fact, I doubt that the people of Sleepyside will talk about anything else until the matter is settled.”
    Trixie and her brothers said good night to their parents and trooped up the stairs to their rooms.
    Once she was settled in her bed, Trixie felt herself quickly drifting off to sleep. But her mind was still a confused jumble of thoughts about Mr. Maypenny, Mr. Wheeler, Jim, and a lot of other people she didn’t know but whose lives were bound to be affected, one way or the other, by the furniture factory’s proposed expansion. “I’m glad I don’t have to make the final decision,” she murmured as she fell asleep.

Bob-Whites Divided! ● 3

    THE NEXT MORNING, when Trixie climbed onto the school bus ahead of her brothers, she scanned the crowd of people, as usual, for Honey, Jim, and Dan. Usually there was a frantic wave from one of the three to let the Beldens know where they were sitting. Today there was none.
    For a moment, Trixie thought her friends must have missed the bus. Then she spotted Honey sitting toward the back of the bus, staring out the window. Dan was sitting next to her, looking at a book that was perched on his crossed leg. There was no sign of Jim.
    Trixie felt her stomach tighten. Something was obviously wrong. She paused, wondering what it could be. Then Brian, standing behind her, nudged her gently. “Let’s go, Trix,” he said. The concerned tone of his voice told her that he too had noticed something wrong.
    Trixie and Brian dropped into the seat in front of Honey and Dan, and Mart took one across the aisle. For the first time, Honey turned from the window, and Trixie saw that her eyes were swollen and red-rimmed.
    “What’s happened, Honey?” Trixie asked. The voice that came from her tightened throat was little more than a whisper.
    “Jim and Daddy had the most horrible fight this morning,” Honey said, her voice shaking.
    “Was it about your father’s wanting to sell part of the preserve?” Brian guessed.
    Honey nodded. “Mother and Daddy were out last