Dangling from the back of the wagon was a long rope, and it was a great temptation to Bob to take the rope and tie one of the rear wheels so that it would not revolve.

The farmer, coming out in a hurry, would not notice it, and would wonder what was the matter when he started to drive off.
"But I guess I'd better not," thought Bob with a sigh.

"He'd be sure to tell dad, and then I'd be in more trouble.

I've got a pretty good reputation since the donation supper, and I don't want to spoil it." Bob delivered the embroidery and note to Mrs.Dodson, and was on his way back home when he saw Susan Skipper, Mrs.Dodson's hired girl, and Dent Freeman, the hired man of the place, washing the big front windows of the house--that is, Dent was washing them, perched upon a step-ladder, for Susan was quite heavy and was afraid to trust herself very high in the air.

However, she was doing her share by handing up pails of warm water to Dent.
Now Dent and Susan, as Bob well knew, were what the country people call "sweet" on one another.