Chapter 10 Summary

Although Papa has told Robert that he would have no spending money at the fair, Mama has put aside a dime and gives it to Robert, tied up in a clean white handkerchief, for a ride on a merry-go-round. She also sends him away with a full food basket. As Robert leaves, his father reveals that he himself has never even been to Rutland. Papa hitches up Solomon the ox to take Robert to the Tanners. His last word to Robert, jumping out of the cart, is simply "Manners."

Robert is astonished at the speed that Mr. Tanner's matched horses, Quaker Lady and Quaker Gent, pull the cart. Noticing that Mr. Tanner has paired horses and paired oxen, Robert almost asks why he doesn't get a matching wife as well, but Papa's last word stops him. "Never miss a chance," Papa has said...