"But how can I help it?"
"Just step to one side, and say, 'After you, my dear First Former.' It makes 'em ripping mad."
Room No. 1, being located at the rear of the school building, had a separate entrance, and in reaching it, the boys were obliged to cross one end of the campus. As Fred and Bronson made their way to it, they saw several of the students kicking footballs.
"Are you on the team?" asked the newcomer.
"No, only Firsts make the School team. But I hope to make my Form team."
"Then how is it Montgomery could make the ball team and win the Landon game?"
"Because it's different with baseball. Any one can try for that. The Head says it isn't so dangerous."
By this time the two had reached No. 1, which was already swarming with students busily moving their belongings from their old desks to the ones they had just drawn.
"This will be a good chance for you to meet the Form," said Fred. And he introduced Bronson to Margie Newcomb, Grace Darling, Taffy Brown, Soda Billings, Shorty Simms and Ned Tompkins.
"You mustn't take what we do too seriously, Mr. Bronson," said Margie, as she cordially shook the newcomer's hand. "You will soon get accustomed to us. Oh, Alice," she cried, as the girl who had first espied Bronson when he mounted the steps entered the room, "Come here a minute."