"Smarty!" snapped Grace. But Margie was so proud to think the boy of her preference had defeated the rich bully, that she did not share her chum's pique, declaring: "I'm so happy, I don't mind your not telling us. Indeed, I think it's pleasanter to find we were wrong." A moment Buttons looked at the happy couple, then seized Grace by the arm and started away, laughing: "Come on, girlie, this is no place for us. Besides, you ought to be nice to me. I was Fred's second." Her anger being only simulated, Grace readily allowed herself to be led away and as they went, Fred called: "Come on back here! If you don't mind the invitation being a little late, I want you both to come home to supper with me." "Very kind of you, I'm sure," grinned Buttons, "but your mother invited us this afternoon." "But--why----" "Your mother sent an invitation by me, when she learned about your fight," exclaimed Grace. "Then she knows?" gasped Fred. "Evidently," grinned Buttons. "Come on, then, quick! We must let Momsy know I won. She'll be worrying her heart out," exclaimed the victor, as he seized Margie's hand and broke into a run, followed by the others. The arrival at the house affording Margie the first chance to catch her breath long enough to speak, she put her face close to Fred's and whispered: "_One_ of the reasons I like you is that you are so thoughtful of your mother. Another is because you were not afraid of that Bart Montgomery." CHAPTER IX THE SUPPER CLUB To the surprise of the happy four, they found the other boys and girls awaiting them, and Fred was subjected to merry bantering for his remissness in not being at home to welcome his friends. "I didn't know you were coming to spend the _afternoon_," he laughed in return, gazing significantly toward the clock whose hands pointed to ten minutes before seven. "My, but isn't he the stickler for form," commented Sandow. "Does your majesty wish us to go out and wait until seven and then come in?" "I told Mr. Hill I thought we would be too early," interposed Bronson apologetically. "You mustn't mind Fred, Mr. Bronson," quickly exclaimed Mrs. Markham. "When you are better acquainted with him, you will know, he is always joking. Besides, supper is ready, so, as you are all here, we can begin just as soon as Fred makes himself presentable." Flushing at this reminder of his uncouth appearance, the lad made his excuses and started for his room. "You're _more_ than forgiven," smiled Sallie Ayres, and from this remark the boy realized that the result of the affair with Bart had been made known to his mother and guests. No sooner had Fred left the room than the girls offered to assist Mrs. Markham in placing the food on the table. "I say, Mrs. Markham, isn't there something we fellows can do, too?" asked Sandow, following the girls to the kitchen. "We don't want to be left in there alone."