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," blustered¹ 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," whined² 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 dismally³. He had never yet been sent home for misconduct, and the very idea filled him with nameless dread⁴.
 
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 shuffled⁵ in, a wet and bloody⁶ 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 abruptly⁷, "this is a disgraceful affair. I thought both of you knew better than to fight. It is setting a very bad example to the rest of the scholars. I shall have to punish you both severely⁸."
 
Mr. Tetlow paused and Bert's heart leaped into his throat. What if he should be expelled? The very thought of it made him shiver.
 
"I have made a number of inquiries⁹ of the other pupils, and I find that you, Danny, started the quarrel. You raised the cry of 'Afraid of a ghost!' when you had no right to do so, and when Bert caught you by the arm and told you to stop you struck him. Is this true?"
 
"I—I—he hit me in the chin. I told him to let me go."
 
"He struck me first, Mr. Tetlow," put in Bert. "I am sure all of the boys will say the same."
 
"Hem¹⁰! Bert, you can go to your classroom. I will talk to you after school this afternoon."
 
Somewhat relieved Bert left the office and walked to the classroom, where the other pupils eyed him curiously¹¹. It was hard work to put his mind on his lessons, but he did his best, for he did not wish to miss in any of them and thus make matters worse.
 

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