儿童英语读物 The Camp-Out Mystery CHAPTER 17 A Problem Solved

The next night, Doris and Hildy joined the Aldens around the campfire.



“It’s hard to believe that Andy Watts 1 caused so much trouble,” Doris said.



“I think I understand what he did,” Hildy said. “I’ve felt the same way about some campers. So many of them just don’t appreciate the beauty around them.”



The children stared at her. She seemed an entirely 2 different person than she was before.



She smiled at them. “Are you having trouble believing old Hildy likes nature?”



“We didn’t think you liked anything!” Benny said.



“Now, Benny, mind your manners,” Grandfather warned, but he said it lightly, and Benny knew he was amused.



“Hush, James Henry,” Hildy said. “I deserved that. I wasn’t very nice to your grandchildren—or to anybody for that matter. But I’ve learned my lesson. These children taught me. Independence is important, but so is knowing people care.”



“You know, Hildy,” Doris said, “for a while I was afraid you were the one causing all the trouble.”



Hildy chuckled 3. “My own sister!” she teased. “You should have known better. My way of dealing 4 with the campers was to ignore them. Keep my distance.”



“Well, things will be different now,” Grandfather said.



“They sure will be,” Doris said. “Andy did a good thing by turning himself in. Things went easier for him because of it.”



“I hope they aren’t going to put him in jail,” Benny said. “He might have done bad things, but he’s a good man.”



“That’s exactly what the ranger 5 said,” Doris told him. “He came up with a plan to have Andy educate and help campers. It’ll accomplish a lot more than a jail sentence would.”



“What exactly will he teach the campers?” Violet asked.



“He knows all about the forest,” Doris answered. “He’ll take people on nature hikes, and teach new campers about safety procedures and anything else they might want to know.”



“I hope he teaches them about neatness,” Benny piped up. “This place was a mess when we got here.”



“I wish we could help,” Jessie said.



“You already have,” Doris reminded her. “You solved the mystery. Now, campers won’t be afraid to come here.”



“But we’d like to do more,” Violet said.



“Maybe we can,” Grandfather said. “Andy mentioned the need for more trees to keep the soil from eroding 6. I’ll donate some.”



“We could come weekends and help plant them,” Henry suggested.



“That’s a fine idea, Henry,” Grandfather said. “I’m sure the ranger would approve.”



“And the park needs more garbage cans,” Jessie said. “That would help people to be neater.”



Mr. Alden nodded. “We’ll get those, too.”



“Maybe we could set up a recycling center with different bins 7 for bottles and cans,” Henry said.



“I’ll talk to the county officials,” Doris offered. “They have special trucks to collect recyclable material.”



“I have another idea,” Benny said. “Something we can do right now to help some campers.”



They all looked at him.



“Roast marshmallows and have some more s’mores,” he said.



They all laughed.



“Now, that’s what I call an excellent idea!” Grandfather said.



And everyone agreed.