"Why are the football team making such a row over that young freshman ?" In another instant the principal's question all but answered itself.
"Why, I wonder," muttered the good doctor, "if the enthusiasm in any way relates to the hoax on the Board.

Was Prescott at the bottom of it?
I'll keep it in mind and try to find out!" "If the football crew are making all that row over a mere freshman," thought Chairman Stone, "then young Prescott must be the inventor of the yarn that has made Gridley wonder whether we of the Board are so many 'dead ones.' Hm! hm! I'll find out if that's the case.

Such a trick is clearly one that would call for expelling the young man from the High School!".