The Mystery of the Biltmore House (Real Kids! Real Places! Quotes

“I think I know where it is, she thought. Then she whipped around and said loudly, "But I need your help."
Stacy blushed. She had said the words loud enough that everyone in the great room had turned to look at her. Quickly she ducked her head and sat down on the sofa with the others.
"Help with what?" Michael asked, giggling. "Making a fool of yourself?”
― Carole Marsh, The Mystery of the Biltmore House (Real Kids! Real Places!

“If I had something valuable, I'd keep it in my pocket where I could keep an eye on it," Michael said.
"Sure," said Wendy. "With all the holes you have in your pockets, that would be a real safe place.”
― Carole Marsh, The Mystery of the Biltmore House (Real Kids! Real Places!

“The others climbed into the back of the truck with the pitchforks and the pinestraw, leaving Stacy all alone in the front with the man. She sat as close to the door as she could and held the handle tight in case she had to jump out or something. Suspiciously, she looked at the big paper bag on the seat between them.
The man, still frowning, put the truck into gear. With a jolt, they started off. Before they had gone very far he slammed on the brakes, throwing them all forward.
He doesn’t even have seatbelts, Stacy thought. But how can you think of dumb things like that when you’re about to die?
“Sorry,” he said gruffly. “I forgot. I’ve got to make one stop before we go to the dairy barns.”
Throwing the truck into reverse, he backed up a few yards to a narrow road that led into the woods. A small sign that read “Private! Closed to the Public” was posted by the side of the road.
Oh dear, Stacy thought, we’re doomed now. How many times did Mom ever tell me never to get into a car with a stranger? And now I’ve gone and done that and here we are heading down an off-limits road into the woods. She had a cold chill, and this time it wasn’t from her wet clothes.
They bounced down the rutted road. In the mirror outside her window, she could see the kids hanging on to the side of the truck for dear life.
The arms of the low pines brushed the roof of the truck with a skeletal scraping down. At least they came to an opening. Before her Stacy could see rows and rows of vines. “Vineyards,” she whispered to herself.
Suddenly, the man slammed on his brakes. The truck jarred to a stop. Without a word he threw open the door and climbed out. Now we’re in for it, thought Stacy. I just know he’s coming around this side to get me.
She squeezed her eyes shut tight. Over the idling hum of the motor she could hear him walking. Then there was a squeal from the kids in the back of the truck. Oh, my goodness, she thought, squinching her eyes tighter and tighter until they hurt. What is he doing to them?
In a moment he slung the door of the truck open. In spite of herself she turned and looked at him. He had a big grin on his face. And his shirt was covered with a big purple stain. Blood!
“Your shirt,” she stuttered, pointing a quivery finger toward him.
He laughed. “Juice,” he said. “Juice from the grapes.”
Stacy sniffed. Sure enough it did smell like grape juice. She got up the nerve to look in the rearview mirror. The kid’s heads bobbed in the back.
Slowly she ungripped her hand from the door handle. The man waved an arm towards the vineyards. “We grow grapes for wine here. It’s just another way to use the land like Mr. Vanderbilt thought you should.”
Stacy just stared at his shirt again and said, “Oh.”
― Carole Marsh , The Mystery of the Biltmore House (Real Kids! Real Places!

“Every night instead of watching television, Sandburg would read to his family."
"I sure hope Mom doesn't start that," Michael muttered.”
― Carole Marsh, The Mystery of the Biltmore House (Real Kids! Real Places!

“Good grief," Michael said as he sat down in one of the 64 enormous upholstered chairs. "My feet don't even think about touching the floor."
"This table is longer than the bowling alley," Trent said. He shielded his eyes with his hand and peered down the long wooden table as though he couldn't see the other end.
"If you wanted someone to pass you the salt shaker it would take thirty minutes for it to get here," Wendy agreed.”
― Carole Marsh, The Mystery of the Biltmore House (Real Kids! Real Places!

“There are two hidden doors in the paneling of the Billiard Room. But they're not really secret panels. They were just there for the men guests to go from the Billiard Room to the Smoking Room with ease."
Secret doors so the men could sneak off and smoke? If she tried that, her mom would bowl her down the alley for sure, Stacy thought.”
― Carole Marsh, The Mystery of the Biltmore House (Real Kids! Real Places!

“This table once belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte," he said.
"You mean the Napoleon we read about in our history book?" Staci asked.
"The guy with his hand under his coat scratching his bellybutton?" Wendy added.”
― Carole Marsh, The Mystery of the Biltmore House (Real Kids! Real Places!

“Remember, there are a lot of things to be careful about, both here and at Biltmore House. You don't want to get into any trouble."
Stacy figured she meant for them not to break anything like a valuable antique or some old person's leg, by running through the lobby.”
― Carole Marsh , The Mystery of the Biltmore House (Real Kids! Real Places!