But something had gone wrong!
CHAPTER XIV
A BIG SPLASH
Bert Bobbsey was speaking his piece so well that his teacher and the other boys and girls did not see what Sam Todd was trying to do. The eyes of all in the room were fixed on Bert—that is, the eyes of all but Sam and his chum Joe. Bert had practiced his recitation many times at home, his mother helping and correcting him, until he could do it very well.
All this mattered nothing to Sam, however, if he could spoil Bert’s recitation by playing the trick. With all that, Sam did not intend to be mean. It was all just a “good joke” to him and Joe.
But, as was said, something went wrong.
When Sam pulled on the string it seemed to be caught on something outside the window. The football with its feathers, making it look like the head of an Indian, did not bounce in through the open window, as Sam hoped it would.
There was no time to lose. Bert was just beginning the startling line—
“What is this fearful thing I see?”
If the football did not pop in now the joke would be spoiled. As all eyes were on Bert, Sam felt it would be safe to leave his seat to look and find out what the trouble was. He had a little time, as Bert had to say this line three times—slowly.
Bert gave the line once. He paused. He repeated it. Sam was now leaning over the edge of the window sill, looking down to see what was holding the string of the feather-decorated football.