Obediently the others filed in, not without many a backward glance
at the group by the fence.

"Now suppose you tell me about it," suggested Mr. Carter mildly.

So Bobby told about the drive of the previous afternoon and of how
his father had landed the car in the bushes; he told about his
scheme to prove that he could steer, and of how Palmer had asked
to try, too.

"But he didn't make the hole wide enough," complained the battered
Palmer. "First try I hit the side. I think it's an awful silly
thing to do, anyway."

"Well, I went through without hitting anything!" said a voice
unexpectedly. "You're always ready to make a fuss when you spoil a
good game, Palmer."

It was Meg. She had found it impossible to desert Bobby in
trouble, and had come back in time to hear Palmer's grievance.

Mr. Carter tried not to smile.

"Aside from hurting Palmer, Bobby," said the principal seriously,
"you've damaged the school property. What do you suppose Mr.
Hornbeck would say if he saw that fence?" Mr. Hornbeck was one of
the school committeemen.

This was something Bobby had not considered.