Corliss and Dexter plan to go to a big party, but must work up the nerve to ask the Archer's for a tux and an evening wrap, both of which are in danger around Dex.
Harry and Mr. Franklyn try to teach Corliss and Dex the value of money, and promise to match dollar for dollar everything the kids can earn.
Dexter is directing the school parent/student play. Corliss is the lead but to get Harry he tells him Judge Peters is appearing. To get the Judge he gives the lead to Lucy Peters and, well, you get the idea!
After seeing Mr. Archer hiding a package and misunderstanding a business call, Corliss and Dexter decide he's a kleptomaniac.
Corliss and Dex are struggling with a tough algebra problem. Their parents smugly think they can find the answer, and soon everyone is working on the problem with no solution in sight!
Corliss has the measles, which makes Mr. Archer happy, because that means a whole week without Dexter; until Dex is quarantined along with her!
Synopsis 1: Harry Archer needs to make an important phone call but is hindered by losing the phone number, not to mention the phone! Not helping at all is Corliss doing housework and Dexter's arrival with a pie and a watermelon. Synopsis 2: There's only one phone number in the Archer household - not enough when there's a teenager in the home. The phone is constantly in use, and Mr. Archer keeps missing important business calls.
Dex's father makes a deal with him: get a job, keep it a week, and he will buy a new muffler for his car.
Synopsis 1: Harry has a bad cold and Janet makes him stay in bed, and everyone leaves him alone except Dex. Synopsis 2: Harry has a bad cold. The well-meaning but bumbling Dexter tries to help out by going to the drug store for Harry's medicine. While there, a misunderstanding leads the druggist and neighbors to believe that the Archer family is destitute. As a result, lots of food baskets mysteriously begin to appear at the Archer's front door.