"He isn't," asserted Sandow. "His father's trouble is worrying both his mother and him. Then Mr. Markham has gone away."
"Skipped out?"
"No, indeed! I suppose he's looking for work. But I was going to say, Fred takes the trouble hard—he's too sensitive."
"And Bart'll tease the life out of him."
"It's up to us to see he doesn't."
"How? If Bart hears of it, he'll be worse than ever."
"I know that. It's ticklish business, but I think we can work it."
"How?" repeated Buttons impatiently.
"Through the girls. I don't know one who doesn't like Cotton-Top——"
"Except Mary and Alice Montgomery," interrupted Fred's chum.