"
He studied the complicated system of bells that sounded the signals in
each classroom for a minute, and suddenly the telephone rang shrilly.
It startled him, and he jumped. He looked about uneasily. The bell
kept ringing.
"I s'pose I'd better answer it," he said aloud, doubtfully.
"Hello!" he called, taking down the receiver.
"Hello," answered a strange voice. "Take this message, please. Miss
Wright has a severe cold and will not be in to-day. Have Miss Garrett
take charge of the assembly. That's all, thank you. Good-by."
Bobby blinked. Whoever had telephoned had spoken so quickly that he
had had no chance to say a word.
CHAPTER VI
THE ORANGE AND THE BLACK
Bobby put the receiver back, and at that moment the door opened and Mr.
Carter walked into the office.
Mr. Carter was the principal of the primary and grammar schools, but
usually spent most of his time at the grammar school. Bobby had been
afraid of him once, but that was before he had learned to know him.
"Good morning, Bobby," said Mr. Carter pleasantly. "Has Miss Wright
come in yet?"
"No, Mr. Carter. Some one telephoned," answered Bobby slowly, anxious
to get the message delivered correctly. "She said Miss Wright had a
solemn cold and wouldn't be in this morning."
"What kind of cold did you say?" asked Mr. Carter curiously. "Solemn?
What kind of complaint is that?"
Bobby looked perplexed. He thought for a moment.
Pages:
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42