It was at this juncture that the First Form students, led by Sandow Hill, reached the steps. With the majority of them Fred was a favorite, and as they noticed the serious expressions on the faces of the Second Form boys, several of them asked:
"What's the trouble? Why so glum, Cotton-Top?"
"He and Bart had a row. The Head came along, and now he's threatened Fred with suspension if he fights Bart," poured forth Buttons, going into details in reply to further questioning.
"Fred ought to be thankful," exclaimed one of the girls. "That big bully would make mincemeat of him."
"You girls go along into school," snapped Sandow. Then, turning to Fred, he asked: "Was there any limit set to where you couldn't fight?"
"Why, no," returned the boy, puzzled by the question.
"Then cheer up," laughed the leader of the First Form. "So long as the Head didn't set any specific limit, you can have your go with Bart anywhere not on school grounds."
This solution of the problem elicited shouts of approval from Fred's followers, but the boy most concerned did not share in the glee.
"I don't think that would be honorable," he interposed. "Mr. Vining said he would suspend me if I mixed it up with Bart."
"But he can't control your actions off school grounds," asserted Hal Church, another First Former.