made up his mind to be brave. Bert went to the principal's office, and
sat in a chair. There was another boy there, who looked at Bert in a
questioning manner.

"Are you here to get some writing paper, Bert?" asked the other boy.
"Miss Kennedy sent me for some."

"No," answered Bert. "I only wish I was. I guess Mr. Tetlow thinks I
had something to do with the big snowball."

"Did you?"

"I did not!" exclaimed Bert quickly.

The principal entered a little later, gave to the other boy the
package of writing paper Miss Kennedy had sent for, and then sat down
beside Bert.

"I am sorry to have to do this, Bert," he said, "but this is a serious
matter and I must treat it seriously. Now again, I ask if you have
anything to say to me? Perhaps you were too worried to stand up before
the whole school."

"No, sir," answered Bert, "I don't know that I have anything to say,
if you mean about the big snowball."

"Then you deny that you had anything to do with it?"

"Yes, sir. I never helped roll it on the steps."