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Baby-sitters on Board!
by Ann M. Martin

The baby-sitters are going on the greatest trip ever!

The most interesting thing that happened there was that when I stepped up to pay the admission fee, the woman taking the money waved me through, saying, "Go on ahead, miss. the young gentleman paid your way."

My mouth dropped wide open. What young gentleman? I looked all around, but could only see some families and lots of little kids. I spent an hour at the aquarium, but I wasn't looking at fish; I was looking for my Secret Admirer. Finally, I gave up.

I went back to the little shops I passed when I'd first gotten off the Ocean Princess. It was time to buy a souvenir for myself. And to look for something for Dad again. I found the perfect thing (for me) in a jewelry store - a pair of mother-of-pearl earrings. But they were much, much too expensive.

"Sorry," I said sadly to the clerk when he told me the price. "I guess I, um, can't afford them. Thanks anyway."

I left the shop feeling sort of sad. I'd spent the day alone, I hadn't gotten a present for my father, I didn't know who my admirer was, and I couldn't afford the beautiful earrings.

I found an outdoor restaurant, sat down at a table, and ordered a Coke with an umbrella in it. When the Coke arrived it was served on a white china dish. The umbrella was in the Coke. A box was next to the dish.

I looked at the box and up at the waiter. He just shrugged. When he left, I opened the box. Inside, on a bed of cotton, lay the mother-of-pearl earrings - and a note that read From Your Secret Admirer.

When I returned to the Ocean Princess that afternoon, my mind was whirling, and I felt dazed with excitement - and mystery.

Baby-sitters on Board!
Published by Scholastic Inc. 1996
ISBN: 0590442406