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CHAPTER XIX

NAN'S PLEA

Bert's heart sank when he saw that it was the school principal who held
him by the collar. He remembered what Nan had said about fighting and
being expelled.

"It was Bert Bobbsey's fault," blustered Danny, wiping his bleeding nose
on his sleeve.

"No, it wasn't," answered Bert quickly. "It was his fault."

"I say it was your fault!" shouted Danny. "He started the fight, Mr.
Tetlow."

"He struck first," went on Bert undauntedly.

"He caught me by the arm and wouldn't let me go," came from Danny.

"I told him to keep still," explained Bert. "He was calling, 'Afraid of
a ghost!' at me and I don't like it. And he said my sister Nan was
afraid of it, too."

"Both of you march up to my office," said Mr. Tetlow sternly. "And
remain there until I come."

"My nose is bleeding," whined Danny.

"You may go and wash your nose first," said the principal.

With a heart that was exceedingly heavy Bert entered the school and made
his way to the principal's office. No one was there, and he sank on a
chair in a corner. He heard the bells ring and heard the pupils enter
the school and go to their various classrooms.

"If I am sent home, what will mamma and papa say?" he thought dismally.
He had never yet been sent home for misconduct, and the very idea filled
him with nameless dread.

His eye hurt him not a little, but to this he just then paid no
attention. He was wondering what Mr. Tetlow would have to say when he
came.

Presently the door opened and Danny shuffled in, a wet and bloody
handkerchief held to his nose. He sat down on the opposite side of the
office, and for several minutes nothing was said by either of the boys.

"I suppose you are going to try to get me into trouble," said Danny at
length.

"You're trying to get me into trouble," returned Bert. "I didn't start
the quarrel, and you know it."

"I don't know nothing of the kind, Bert Bobbsey! If you say I started
the fight--I'll--I'll--tell something more about you."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"What can you tell?"

"You know well enough. Mr. Ringley hasn't forgotten about his broken
window."

"Well, you broke that, I didn't."

"Humph! maybe I can prove that you broke it."

"Danny Rugg, what do you mean?" exclaimed Bert. "You know I had nothing
to do with that broken window."

The big boy was about to say something more in reply when Mr. Tetlow
entered the office.

"Boys," said he abruptly, "this i