"I'll fix that," announced the winner of the prize.
"How?" inquired both girls.
"Go round to Buttons' and telephone to both your mothers."
"But you'll have to tell them you won over the phone—which would mean the whole town," declared Grace.
"Trust me not to. I'll just say you are going to stay at our house, and hang up the receiver before they can ask questions."
"Buttons may tell, though," suggested Margie.
"No, he won't. Will you?"
"Sure not. It's too decent of the Head to let us know Fred won to throw him down."
In their hearts, Margie and Grace were only too delighted at the thought of not going home, and, as the obstacles they had raised were removed, they sighed resignedly.
Mrs. Newcomb and Mrs. Darling, however, proved less easy to assure, and the boys found it necessary to take Buttons' mother into their confidence before the desired permission was obtained.