"But they're off," announced the bully.
"Not much!" exclaimed Buttons. "It's just the same as though Alice failed to win. You made no conditions."
And with this decision, Bart and his chums were forced to be content.
"Oh, well, Bronson may beat Fred," suggested Taffy. "That'll let us out."
As the four contestants came out of the examination room, they were surrounded by their classmates, but in accordance with a suggestion from the headmaster, they refused to discuss the examination, and went immediately to their homes.
Realizing that the interval of suspense would prove hard on her son, Mrs. Markham had asked Margie, Grace and Buttons to spend the afternoon and evening with Fred. But despite their attempts to divert him, the boy was silent and unresponsive.
Just as they sat down to supper, however, there came a rap at the door.
Opening it, Fred was surprised to see Bronson standing on the porch.
"Hello, Clothespin! Come in. You're just in time to eat," invited Fred.
"Thank you, but I can't. I'm going home to-night. I came over to bring this note from Mr. Vining."