Danny Rugg raised his hand, indicating that he wanted to ask a question.
“What is it, Danny?” inquired the teacher.
“How long must the composition be?” the boy asked. “I mean how many pages?”
“Oh, as many as you like,” was the reply. “But it must not be too short!” went on Miss Skell quickly. “I want more than a few sentences. Try to make a story about what happens to you this summer—a story such as you might read in a book. Who knows—perhaps some of you, when you grow up, may write books. I hope you will.”
“I’d love to write a book!” murmured Nan to Nellie Parks, who sat with her.
“I’d rather read books than write them,” whispered Nellie.
“Quiet now, children, if you please,” suggested Miss Skell, for she had allowed a little whispering following her announcement of the prize offer. “Now we will begin our composition work. You may each write me a short one on the subject of what happened to you yesterday after school—in the afternoon, evening, or night!”
Just as Bert Bobbsey was settling himself to his task, the door opened and a girl from one of the higher classes entered with a note which she gave to Miss Skell. The teacher read it quickly, and then said in a low voice:
“Mr. Tarton wants to see you in his office, Bert.”
What could this mean? Mr. Tarton was the principal of the school. Usually it was not very pleasant to have to go to his office.