“Oh, I guess that stone was too heavy for me. I almost had it where I wanted it and it began to slip away from me. I made a grab for it and I slipped and I went down—and in!” “Yes, you went in all right,” laughed Russ. “Well, come on up to the house and get on dry things.” “No,” objected Laddie. “Why not?” asked his brother. “Are you afraid mother will scold?” “No, I guess not. But what’s the use of getting dry clothes on when maybe I’ll get all wet again fixing the dam? As long as I’m wet I might as well finish the dam, and then we can work the water wheel.” “Well, maybe that is the best way,” agreed Russ. “It won’t take long to fix the dam now, and you might fall in again.” And Laddie did. Once more, as he was lifting a stone to the top of the dam, he slipped and fell in, but this time he only laughed and kept right on working. And when the dam was finally built higher, so that more water poured over to turn the wheel, Laddie went to the house and put on dry clothes. His mother, who had come back from the woods, did not scold him when he told her what had happened, but she made him wash the mud from his clothes and hang them out to dry, since she said it was only right that he should do this to save Norah work. Laddie and Russ had much fun playing at the water wheel and with the new and larger mill. Rose and the other children went to look at the splashing mill wheel and thought it very fine indeed. “If I see that boy sneaking around here, and if he throws stones at your mill, shall I drive him off?” asked Mun Bun. “What boy?” Russ wanted to know. “That peddler boy who took Rose’s strawberry shortcake,” Mun Bun replied. “Why, have you seen him again?” asked Mrs. Bunker, in surprise. “Yes, I saw him going along the road yesterday,” Mun Bun said. “But he didn’t come in and try to sell any shoe laces.” “He’d better not come around here again!” declared Russ, with flashing eyes as he clenched his fists. “If he comes I—I’ll hit him!” “You mustn’t fight, Russ,” his mother said. “But I hardly believe it is the same boy. He wouldn’t stay around here after being so bold as to take Rose’s shortcake the way he did. It must have been some other peddler, Mun Bun.” “No, it was the same one,” insisted the little fellow, and later they found out that he was right. Two days after this a little girl who lived down the road from Farmer Joel’s house invited Rose, Violet, and Margy to come to a party. “It’s funny she didn’t invite us,” said Russ. “She isn’t going to have any boys this time,” Rose explained. “But maybe she will next time, and then you can go.” “Maybe next time we won’t want to!” answered Russ. “Anyhow, we’re going fishing now. Come on, Laddie!” “All right,” agreed the other. “Fishing is more fun, anyhow, than parties.” “Can I come fishing?” asked Mun Bun.