Judy did not tell her the magician was no stranger.
Judy and Peter arrived with Horace and Honey to find the Browns’ recreation room already crowded. Rows and rows of chairs were lined up before the stage. The front row was reserved for the club members. Penny and Paul joined them.
“There’s room for you, too,” Ricky whispered.
“Thanks,” Judy whispered back.
They were all seated before she realized Helen Riker was not with them. “Where’s your mother?” she whispered across to Paul.
“She’s back there somewhere,” he replied. “Her face got awfully white when she saw him.”
Judy knew Paul meant the magician.
“I guess it’s all right,” she began uncertainly, “as long as she can—”
She was interrupted by the sound of clapping hands. The heavy velvet curtain had parted. The magician appeared on the stage smiling and bowing. He had a wand in his hand. As he waved it, flags of all nations began to appear. When the stage was quite filled with them he waved the wand again and every flag vanished.
“This is stage magic,” he announced. “Watch carefully and you may discover my secrets.”