"Let's make them put on aprons and wait on the table," suggested Dorothy. But Mrs. Markham laughingly protested, and so the boys were forced to content themselves with watching the preparations. "Oh, I wish we had something funny to put at Fred's plate," exclaimed Margie, when the food was on the table. "Haven't you anything you can think of, Mrs. Markham?" "Dear me, I don't believe I have," replied the youth's mother, after a moment's reflection. "Bronson's got something," announced Sandow. "He made me wait for him on the way over." Expectantly the eyes of the others were turned upon their new schoolmate. "Oh, what is it?" cried Margie eagerly. "I'm afraid it's rather silly," apologized Bronson. "Never mind. Do hurry and show us before Fred comes," urged Grace. Blushing profusely, Bronson put his hand in his pocket, drew forth a paper bag and handed it to Mrs. Markham. "Quick! Quick!" breathed the others, clustering around her, eager to see the contents. "O-oh! it's a candy Teddy Bear!" exclaimed Sallie. "Fine!" chuckled Buttons. "Here, Mrs. Markham, please let me have that bag. Sandow, you get a match." Taking the bag, the boy tore out a small piece of paper, hastily wrote on it, "You're all to the candy," thrust the match through the paper, set the Teddy Bear on Fred's plate and then fixed the match in its arms in such a way as to give the effect of a banner. "But what does that expression mean?" asked Mrs. Markham, to whom the slang was as so much Sanskrit. "It means Fred's all right," interpreted Sandow. "Now, come away, I hear him." With hurried steps, the young people made their way to the other end of the table, which they reached just as the fair-haired boy entered the room. "What's up? Why are you all in here?" Fred inquired, looking from one to another of his friends. "The girls wanted to help me put the supper on the table and Sandow and Buttons could not bear to be separated from Sallie and Grace for so long," smiled Mrs. Markham. "I can understand that," returned Fred. "But there's something else. Every one of you has a guilty expression." "Hungry, you mean," corrected Buttons. "For pity's sake, take your seat and don't keep us waiting any longer. My mouth's been watering for some of Mrs. Markham's pumpkin pie ever since I was asked to supper. Bronson, I told you this morning, you ought to let us select your boarding place for you. Mrs. Markham's the best cook in Baxter. That's why Fred always looks so sleek and superior." Pleased and laughing at the boyish compliment, Fred's mother bade them be seated. So intent was the fair-haired boy in assisting Margie, that it was several moments before he noticed his own plate. [Illustration: "WELL, OF ALL THINGS," HE EXCLAIMED]