Such a thing as their son attempting a joke at the donation supper never occurred to Mr. or Mrs. Henderson. It is true that at the affair there was more or less jollity and good-natured fun after the formal function of supper was over and the minister had asked the blessing. But no one had ever dared play such a joke as Bob contemplated. If his mother had in the least suspected him of even dreaming of it she would have made him stay at home.
There was a good-sized throng in the church when the Henderson party arrived. Long tables had been set in the parlors, which were back of the church proper. Women in long white aprons were hurrying to and fro, getting ready to serve the meal. Bob followed his parents and the captain into the edifice.
"Is everything all ready?" asked Ted Neefus in a whisper as he approached Bob.
"Don't come near me," was the cautious answer. "Folks'll suspect if they see us together."
So Ted quickly glided away and was lost in the crowd.
The tables were all set, the victuals put on, and nearly every one had arrived.
"I guess we'd better get the chairs up now," proposed Mrs. Olney, who with Mrs. Henderson was superintending things. "Some of the boys can do it."
"I will, mom," volunteered Bob, who stood near his mother. "I'll get some of the fellows to help me."
"That's good," said Mrs. Henderson.
Bob hurried away, and soon he, Ted Neefus, Will Merton, Sam Shoop and some other chums were placing the chairs at the long tables.