"I shouldn't imagine you would be," Dick smiled.
"Therefore we are going to challenge you to another form of contest."
"A talking match?" Tom wanted to know.
"No, sir. I bear from the North Grammar boys a challenge to Central Grammar to meet us in swimming matches in the river. The contests must be so arranged as to show which school may hold the championship in swimming. Are you afraid to meet us in the water?" Hi asked.
"Afraid? No," Dick retorted. "But why didn't you fellows spring this on us earlier? Next week Thursday will be graduating day."
"Well, we can swim the Saturday after," Hi proposed.
"But we'll be graduated then. We won't be Grammar School boys any more," protested Dick.
"Is that the way you're going to get out of the challenge that we've issued?" Martin demanded scornfully.
"No; and you certainly know better," Dick retorted. "But how can we hold a school contest when we're no longer enrolled in the school that we're supposed to represent?" Dick insisted.
"You can if you want to," Hi sneered. "But I can see that you fellows don't care about meeting us in a swimming contest. All right; then I'll go back and tell the North Grammar fellows that Central funks.