s 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 severely."

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 inquiries 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."

"Hem! 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 curiously. 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.

"What did the principal do?" whispered the boy who sat next to him.

"Hasn't done anything yet," whispered Bert in return.

"It was Danny's fault," went on the boy. "We'll stick by you."

At noontime Bert walked home with Nan, feeling very much downcast.

"Oh, Bert, what made you fight?" said his twin sister. "I told you not
to."

"I couldn't help it, Nan. He told everybody that you were afraid of the
ghost."

"And what is Mr. Tetlow going to do?"

"I don't know. He told me to stay in after school this afternoon, as he
wanted to talk with me."

"If he expels you, mamma will never get over it."

"I know that, Nan. But--but--I couldn't stand it to have him yelling
out, 'Afraid of a ghost!'"

After that Nan said but little. But her thoughts were busy, and by the
time they were returning to the school her mind was fully made up.

To all of the school children the principal's office was a place that
usually filled them with awe. Rarely did anybody go there excepting when
sent by a teacher because of some infringements of the rules.

Nan went to school early that afternoon, and as soon as she had left
Bert and the two younger twins, she marched bravely to Mr. Tetlow's
office and knocked on the door.

"Come in," said the principal, who was at his desk looking over some
school reports.

"If you please, Mr. Tetlow, I came to see you about my broth