"Why, the safety valve got stuck, and when the pressure got too heavy it wouldn't let the steam escape. So the pipes, all through the school, were filled and the pressure was so[Pg 19] strong that they commenced to shake and tremble. That made the building vibrate, and the boiler began to rumble and roar, too. [Pg 19] "I was afraid it might blow up, so down I rushed and opened the safety valve that was stuck shut. That let out the steam, and the pressure in the pipes went down. And that's all." "It was enough," said Miss Williams. "So that white cloud was steam, and not smoke from a fire?" "Yes, ma'am," answered the janitor, "it was only steam." "Is the safety valve all right now?" asked Mr. Tetlow. "Oh, yes, indeed!" exclaimed the janitor. "I fixed it. I should have looked at it first, but it slipped my mind. I'm sorry." "Well, it's all right, as long as no one is hurt," said the principal. "And now, as we have had so much excitement, I hardly believe that you children could do well with your lessons this morning. It is eleven o'clock now, so I will dismiss you all until this afternoon. Come back when you have had your dinners." There were cries of delight at this, and the boys and girls hurried back into their classrooms, after their hats and coats, for the weather seemed to be getting colder. Sammy and his two chums passed close to Jed Burr as they went in. Then Sammy did a kind act. "Will you shake hands, Jed?" he asked of the former bully. "That was a fine thing you did." Jed blushed. "Aw, that was nothin'," he said. "There wasn't any danger." "But you didn't know that," returned Frank. "I'd like to shake hands with you, too." [Pg 20] [Pg 20] "So would I," added Bob Bouncer. "I guess we'll all be friends now, after this."
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