“Oh!” was all Miss Riker said, but there was a strange look on her face.
“Yes’m,” murmured Danny, though, really, he did not know why he said it.
Again the room became very quiet, only the clock ticked loudly—oh, so loudly!
Then, with a smile, Miss Riker said:
“Well, Bert, I think you needn’t stay in any longer. I was going to give you a punish lesson, but as long as Danny has been brave enough to remain and confess his part of it—though really you shouldn’t do a thing just because you are dared to do it—I think, after all, that I will let you both go home. You won’t crack any more snappers—or snap any more crackers—in school hours, will you, Bert?”
“No’m! Never any more!” he said very earnestly.
“And you won’t dare him again, Danny?”
“No’m! I never will—in school!”
“Then you both may go.”
“Thank you,” mumbled the boys, as they found their caps and departed. Miss Riker smiled. She knew this had been the best “punish lesson” she could have set.