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.

“Is it all ready?” asked Ted in a hoarse whisper.

“Hush, can’t you!” cautioned Bob.  “Do you want to give it away?”

All was in readiness for the grown folks to sit down.  They would eat first, then the tables would be set anew and the young people would have their turn.  There was always more fun at the second table, and Bob and his chums would take their meals there.

Some one told Rev. Daniel Blackton that supper was ready, and he moved up to the head of the table, prepared to say grace.  In honor of Mrs. Henderson, who was one of the chief workers in the church, her relative, Captain Spark, had been accorded a place next to the minister,

“Come on up in the gallery now,” said Bob to Ted.  “We can see the fun from there.”  Bob had been busy straightening the chairs near the head of the table.

Just as the boys reached the gallery, the assembled diners took their seats.  The reverend gentleman stood up to say grace, and then sat down.

“How long before it works ?” asked Ted.

“It’s working now,” replied Bob, “but you won’t see the full effect until he gets up.”

“Think he’ll make much of a fuss?”

“Naw.  He’s too good-natured.  He’ll only laugh.”

The meal progressed.  To and fro went the women with big plates of food.  Every one seemed to have a good appetite, and some young people, who were hungry, began to think the grown folks would never get done.

But at last there was a general scraping of chairs as they were pushed back.

“Watch now!” called Bob to several of his cronies who were with him in the gallery that overlooked the room where supper was being served.  “He’s getting up.”

In fact nearly every one was leaving the table.  The tall form of Rev. Daniel Blackton was seen to rise.  Something else arose also.  It was the minister’s chair.  He felt that something was wrong, and half turned around.  What he saw caused a deep flush to spread over his pale face.