In the chemistry lab, Professor Kestner (legendary character actor Peter Lorre) cautions a struggling Sarah and Joe that if they don't pass their first upcoming test he will "more than likely" drop them from the course. Sarah talks with Professor Crayton, who as her advisor encourages her to take up the challenge of the class. She adopts this strong will and tries to pass it on to Joe who has all but accepted failure. At the boarding house, Sarah, who used her first name for introductions to feel more like a freshman among her peers is now warmly called "Mrs. G". George asks Mrs. G for help gathering milk for his baby. In doing so, he tells her and Joe that Professor Crayton has a bet with Professor Kestner that Sarah and Joe will pass their tests. This inspires her to stay up late and study with a reluctant Joe. She devises a comical but effective way to learn the periodic elements by each of them being one and converse about themselves. After the test, Mrs. G and Joe are pessimistic about their performance, while Professor Kestner has his own dilemma.