Tub's mother turns abruptly from her doughnut-frying and the big wooden spoon finds its way to Tub's head; almost the same scene is in progress over on Skinny's back porch. The two fathers make their appearance on their way to work, and Tub's mother takes a plate of hot doughnuts over to Skinny's house. As soon as her back is turned, Tub deserts the churn, crams his pockets, shirt, and mouth with doughnuts, and climbs out the kitchen window. Skinny and Tub have plenty of time to meet behind the barn and start to dig worms while the two mothers discuss the weather over the back fence. Skinny is on his knees digging hard, when Tub pulls a doughnut out of his pocket and starts to eat it in front of Skinny. This starts a fight. "The Village News," the worst gossip in the county, is on his way to town when he hears the rumpus. He rushes to their mothers with the news. The two ladies run to their sons' rescue. They become involved in the fray, and the "News" rushes to get the two fathers. Very soon three fights are raging: the boys', the mothers', and the fathers'. The "News" then goes for the militia. Suddenly Tub says "Let's quit" to Skinny; Skinny agrees and they sign peace terms on the spot. When the "News" arrives with the sheriff, he finds two boys eating the same doughnut, two fathers smoking in perfect amity, and two mothers crying on each other's shoulders.