In this way, while the reverend gentleman's salary was not large, he managed to obtain a comfortable living.
It was to this donation party, or supper, that Bob and Ted were going, and as they crouched in the shadow of the bushes they perfected Bob's plan for some fun.
Mrs.Henderson was usually on the committee of arrangements for the supper, and this occasion was no exception.

For a week before she was busy making pies and cakes and getting great pans of baked beans ready, for the supper victuals were of a plain but very wholesome sort.
As Captain Spark was a guest at the Henderson home at the time the supper was to be held, he, of course, was invited to attend, an invitation he quickly accepted, for he was fond of hearty eating, and he was not ashore often enough so that such affairs as donation suppers were distasteful to him, as they are to some persons.
At last the eventful evening came.

Bob, dressed in his best suit, prepared to accompany his parents and Captain Spark to the church.
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.