Page:Ned Wilding's Disappearance.djvu/71



shout of laughter went up at the surprised look on Bart's face. He did not know what to say, and he shook his head to get rid of the confetti that clung even to his eyebrows. He had hoped to get away undiscovered but his chums had been too smart for him. He opened his mouth to speak, and the hickory nut he had placed in it to make his voice sound deep, dropped out and rolled on the floor. At this there was more laughter.

"Very well done, Bart," observed Principal McCloud. "I think school is dismissed," he added, as he and the other teachers joined in the laughter.

"Come again, Bart," said Ned, as he and the other boys crowded about the impersonator of Santa Claus.

"Off with his uniform!" one of the boys called, and, before Bart could defend himself, he was being pulled this way and that, until the red suit