CHAPTER XXI
ANOTHER RACE
Although Margy refused to be enthusiastic about cold weather, nothing would induce her to miss a skating party. She could skate well, as indeed could nearly every child in River Bend. With a river at hand, it would have been strange if they had failed to learn as soon as they could buckle on their skates. The Riddle Club members could hardly remember the time when they had not gone skating.
“Wouldn’t it have been a shame,” said Fred, striking off up the ice with long, even swings, “if the first skating of the year had come while we had to go to school?”
“Yes, it would,” agreed Ward. “I think they ought to cut out school in the winter, anyway. I don’t mind it so much in March, because half the time it rains and you can’t have much fun in the rain; but winter is the best time of year to be outdoors.”
Ward looked as though he was thoroughly enjoying himself. He was puffing slightly—he couldn’t help getting out of breath when he exercised—but his eyes were beaming and he showed his even, white teeth in a delighted grin.
“I don’t think it’s as cold as it was,” said Jess to Polly.
“That’s because you’ve warmed up,” declared Polly wisely. “I’m never cold when I’m skating.”
“Just the same, it is warmer,” insisted Jess.
“Sure it is,” Fred flung over his shoulder. “It’s turned warmer since we came out.”
Though Polly had announced that they were going up to the pond, they did not start right away. The river was fairly well covered with skaters by this time, and presently a string of skaters appeared, seven boys and seven girls, each wearing a white woolly sweater with a large “C.C.” stitched across the front.