This sharing of his parents' burden seemed to Fred to draw him nearer to them, and in this closer understanding he and his mother talked matters over, during the course of which the clash with Bart, the drawing of the desks and the joke with the cheese were related.
At the recounting of Bart's rudeness in refusing to occupy the desk he had drawn, Mrs. Markham exclaimed:
"There is no saying so true, my son, as that gentleness is bred in the bone. Gentle birth is a thing no money can buy. So long as it was a Montgomery who was so insolent, I am glad that it was a Markham who made amends. You must bring Bronson to the house."
Further confidences between mother and son were prevented, however, by a loud rap on the side door—which opened into the dining room—followed immediately by the entrance of a tall figure.
"How do you do, Mrs. Markham? Ready, Fred?" came from the newcomer.
"Sandow Hill, you'll scare the life out of me some day, coming in so suddenly," cried Mrs. Markham, as she recognized the boy who had entered so unceremoniously.
"I hope not, but I am so in the habit of running in here I almost forgot to knock. You should give me credit for that, at least."
"Oh, you mustn't think I meant what I said seriously, Sandow, but now that Mr. Markham has gone away, I am a bit nervous."
The leader of the First Form was about to comment upon this announcement, when a significant glance from Fred warned him not to, and instead he said:
"Ready for school, Cotton-Top? I thought I'd call and walk along with you. I want to talk about organizing the Second Form football team."