d his glasses, and he was much younger than Meg had
supposed him to be. The other children had talked to her so much of
how terrible the principal was when he had a bad boy before him that
she had really pictured an ogre, with gray hair and a terrible hooked
nose and a loud, fierce voice.

"I've heard of children having to be driven to school," said Mr.
Carter, still smiling, "but this is the first time I ever knew that
they had to be taken home to prevent them from learning. Never mind,
youngsters, your school days are coming. And when you do come to Oak
Hill School, you come and see me the very first day."

The twins were too shy to do more than nod, and Meg hurried them out
of the building, Philip having already pushed the door open and gone,
before they should attract any more attention.

"What ever put it into your head to come?" she scolded, leading the
way toward home. "Does Mother know it?"

For the first time Twaddles appeared to be somewhat confused.

"She doesn't know it exactly," he admitted. "We just said we were
going out."

And indeed Mother Blossom was very much surprised when Meg walked into
the sitting room followed by the twins.

"Where is Bobby?" asked Mother Blossom, looking up from her sewing.
"And you are early, dear. Is anything wrong?"

"Nothing much," said Meg, with a severe glance at the culprits, "'cept
the children came to school and brought the dog and Totty-Fay, and
Bobby has to stay in because Miss Mason says he spilt ink all over her
book."

Of course there was an exciting half-hour after that, with the twins
trying to show their side of the case and Mother Blossom half laughing
and half scolding over their performance. Meg had also to tell
everything that had happened in connection with the book, and Mother
Blossom and the twins were all sure that Bobby had had absolutely
nothing to do with it.

"Course he didn't!" said Meg vehemently. "I know he was mad about
missing the arithmetic lesson, but he wouldn't go and spatter ink on a
book. And it was such a lovely book, Mother."

They were still talking when Bobby came in, looking hot and tired and
very cross.

"How long did she keep you in?" asked Meg, as he flung his cap into
the corner.

"An hour," returned Bobby. "She let all the boys go but six of us at
four o'clock, and she says one of us six must have done it. And they
all say it's me. But I didn't do it."

He was looking at Mother Blossom, and she smiled back at h