“Well, you’d better hurry right into Mr. Tarton’s office and tell him about it,” advised Mr. Kling. “The whole school will be looking for you if you don’t.”
You can imagine how glad Nan was to learn that Bert had been found.
She went back to tell Mr. Tarton that her brother had not gone on any home errand. Then, by telephoning to the lumber office, they learned that none of the men there knew any reason why Bert should not be at school. The principal did not know what to think. And then Bert came in, much to the surprise, but also to the joy, of his sister.
“Well, the lost boy is found!” exclaimed the principal. He smiled at Bert, for he could see that it was not the boy’s fault that he was late for school.
Bert explained matters and again he was glad that no one asked him why he had gone into the church.
“I think you may be excused for the remainder of the morning, Bert,” said the head of the school. “And you needn’t come back this afternoon unless you feel quite well.”
“Oh, I feel all right!” Bert was quick to say. “I’d rather stay now than go home. If I go home, Mrs. Pry will think I’m sick, and she might make me take some medicine.”
“Oh, I see!” chuckled Mr. Tarton. “Well, suit yourself. Here is a note to Miss Skell, telling her not to mark you tardy,” and he hastily wrote a few lines on a piece of paper.
“Thank you,” said Bert.
Then he and Nan went to their room, where their entrance created no little excitement. All the other boys and girls wondered why Nan had gone out and why Bert came in late.