"What important thing?" demanded Spud, and he suddenly looked a trifle worried.
"Potatoes," returned Dick.
For an instant there was silence, and then, as the other boys remembered Will's love of potatoes—a love that had given him the nickname of "Spud," there was a wild burst of laughter.
"Say, Spud, that's one on you!"
"Too bad we didn't bring a few praties along, son!"
"We might have fried a few over the light, eh?"
"Don't you worry, dis feast ain't done yet alretty!" cried Max. "Here is something more!" And going to his bureau he brought out a square box wrapped in white paper. "Spud, he gifes me a big cake,—now I gif him somethings, yes!" And he handed the box over.
"What's this, another joke?" demanded the other student suspiciously.
"Do you think I play a joke?" asked Max, with a hurt look.
"All right then," said Spud, and proceeded to undo the string around the box. Then he took off the paper and opened the box.