"Mother's going to have a spread ready for us," said Buttons, as soon as they were outside of the building, "and we can dance, too, if we like." "Then let's go back and get Hal, Betty, Shorty, Ned and the Baxter girls," suggested Sandow. Readily the others agreed, deputizing Buttons and the leader of the Firsts to invite the others, promising to wait for them at the entrance to the grounds. The unpleasant incident having cast a damper upon the celebrators, the other young people were only too glad to accept the invitation. But it was with trepidation that Buttons approached Mrs. Baxter. "Surely my girls may go--provided you ask Mr. and Mrs. Vining and myself," she smiled. And, quickly gathering their wraps, they left the hall. Asking Fred to walk with her, Mrs. Baxter adroitly questioned him about his father's affairs, smiling at the diplomatic manner in which he parried any leading questions. "Do you suppose we could persuade your mother to come to the supper?" she suddenly asked. "Perhaps _you_ could," replied Fred. "It would do her no end of good. She doesn't go anywhere, you know; she's so sensitive." This reply raised the boy greatly in the estimation of the rich woman, and she made a mental note that she would learn from Mr. Vining the details of his circumstances which she had been unable to extract from him. As the others reached Buttons' house, they waited for Mrs. Baxter and Fred. "Don't pay any attention to us. We're going to take a little walk," exclaimed the matron gayly, as they joined the group. "Margie, you'd better look out for mother," laughed Phyllis Baxter, and merrily they watched as the two schemers started to get Mrs. Markham. At the sight of her old friend, Fred's mother was overjoyed, and after a few objections she consented to accompany them. But her real pleasure came in the delight with which the young people and Buttons' mother and father greeted her. After the supper, the older people chatted while the young folks danced, and it was with reluctance they finally went home. The next few days were a round of gaiety attendant upon the graduation of the First Form, after which the young people settled down to their summer life. The money from the scholarship had all but been used up, despite the rigid economy experienced by Mrs. Markham; and with the freedom from his studies, Fred decided to go to work. Setting out with never a word of his purpose to his mother, the boy was walking down Main Street, wondering to whom he should apply, when in passing the bank, he noticed that an assistant clerk was wanted. Resolutely he entered and stated his object to Mr. Herring, the cashier. "You'll have to see Mr. Montgomery," said the official. "He happens to be in his office now. Come in, and I will speak a good word for you." But Fred was not prepared for the reception he received. "What, _you_ want a position in _my_ bank?" exclaimed the president, as Fred stated the purpose of his call.