"Let's go and see," said Alec.
So they all went out at the front-door to see what was the matter.
They found a carryall and a span of horses standing near the sidewalk. A lady and a little girl were in the carryall. Two gentlemen were examining one of the wheels, and several boys stood near looking on.
"I don't know what ails it," said one of the men; "but the wheel won't turn around, that's sure. I think we'll have to go and ask a blacksmith to come and see to it."
Johnny and Alec went out on the sidewalk, while Belle and Sue stood on the doorstep.
"I guess it's a hot wheel," said Johnny to Alec.
"What did you say?" asked one of the gentlemen, turning around quickly.
"I said perhaps it is a hot wheel," replied Johnny.
"Oh, no!" said the gentleman, looking rather perplexed: "the wheel is not hot at all."
"No," said Johnny, "it isn't hot now; but perhaps it has been hot, and that caused the wheel to get welded to the axle so that it wouldn't turn; and after it wouldn't turn, there was no friction, and so the wheel cooled."