At the same time that the Alden children's efforts to raise money for a new hospital wing are being sabotaged by nasty tricks, they find their attempts to befriend the new girl Beth frustrated by her strange behavior.

Reading level: age 4, 5, 6, 7. Nancy sets up a fabulous fashion boutique to earn money to buy herself a beautiful fuschia fan, and the items she was selling come in handy when her sister's birthday party goes awry.

When Violet has a numbers problem and Arthur is penniless, they go into business and solve both problems.