The fun with the cheese, and the escape from the Firsts, had distracted Fred's mind from the unpleasant events attendant upon his arrival at school, but as he approached his unpretentious but comfortable home, his rival's remarks recurred to him. Consequently it was a very sober boy who entered the dining room of the Markham homestead. Instantly realizing that her son's quietness--in striking contrast to his usual good spirits--betokened something serious, Mrs. Markham was about to ask the cause when Fred forestalled her by inquiring: "Where's father?" "He's gone to Manchester." "Why?" It was the hope of both Mr. and Mrs. Markham that they might keep the full import of the failure from Fred, and in accordance with the plan agreed upon between husband and wife when the former set out on his trip--taken in reality to obtain a position--the woman replied: "Your father has gone on business, Fred." And then, in an effort to divert his mind from such dangerous ground, she continued: "How did school start? Are there any new boys in your Form?" Fred, however, was not turned so easily from his object, and, without reply to his mother's questions, said: "But if he has failed, I don't see how he has any business." Realizing that her attempt to change the conversation was futile, Mrs. Markham replied: "He has gone to obtain a position, if possible." This information appeared to Fred partially to confirm what his rival had said, and it was with a very shaky voice he murmured: "I'm sorry he went without talking to me." During this conversation, neither mother nor son had more than tasted the delicious dinner that was growing cold on the table before them, and in one more attempt to divert Fred's thoughts, Mrs. Markham said: "You will never make your football team if you don't eat." The words suggested to Fred that he could not afford to sacrifice any strength for his bout with Bart Montgomery by abstaining from food, and, though it was with little relish, he ate his dinner. When finished, he returned to his questioning, almost taking his mother's breath away by asking: "Did father make money by his failure?" An instant Mrs. Markham was too amazed to speak. Then, quickly recovering herself, she replied indignantly: "No, indeed! Who put such an idea into your head?" "Bart Montgomery." Suppressing the groan this reply brought to her lips, for she was well aware of the Montgomery family's pride and trouble-stirring tongues, intuitively her mother's heart felt all her son would be made to suffer by his rich Form mate, and, desirous of knowing the worst, Mrs. Markham asked: "What did that bully say?" "He said father failed dishonestly, that his father was the principal creditor, so he ought to know."