"It took all of us," they admitted in unison. "Except me," said Dennis. "But I was decapitated." "You do mean incapacitated, I hope," Mother said. "How were you boys planning to spend summer vacation?" she added. The boys exchanged glances of dismay. Dennis pretended to go back to sleep. "Earning money to pay for the damage?" Jeremy guessed. "Close," said Mother. Briefly, the boys had hope. "Now re-punctuate that sentence with a period instead of a question mark and you'll be exactly right."