"Well?" drawled the rich bully, as his rival came closer.
"I'm giving a supper to-night and I'd be obliged if you'd meet me at five instead of seven. When I set the hour this morning, I did not know about it."
As Fred spoke, the other boys had formed a circle about the two and eagerly they awaited the bully's response.
For a moment, Bart was on the point of refusing. Then, as Fred had hoped, he saw the chance of humiliating his rival before his friends and sneered:
"You, giving a supper? Who's going?"
"That's none of your business, Bart Montgomery. Will you meet me at five—or are you afraid to?"
"I afraid to meet you? Say, if you'll take my advice, you'll postpone your supper. You'll be more fit for bed and a doctor than a supper."
This taunt drew shouts of approval from Bart's followers.
"Thank you. Five it is," said Fred, ignoring the others. And he walked away to find Bronson, to whom he extended in person the invitation sent by his mother.
Usually the forming of the classes and the assignment of lessons on the opening day was a period of terror for the headmaster and the instructors, but on this occasion, the boys were too excited over the outcome of the quarrel between the rivals to cause any trouble. Thus the tasks were soon completed, and the boys hastened to the campus, while Fred and Bart were spirited away by Buttons and Taffy, respectively.