Instead of getting a board, most of the skaters darted toward Madge. Quickly, Mimi ran a wide circle around her and headed them off. This accident so far was not bad but unless they were cautious it could be.
Madge was sobbing now.
“My leg is freezing.”
“We’ll have you out in a minute,” Mimi called reassuringly. “Be as still as you can, so you won’t make any more cracks. Stop, girls! Miss Bassett, please keep them back,” Mimi pleaded. “Here comes Dit with a plank and we’ll have her out in a jiffy.”
Mimi helped Dit slip the board along the ice until Madge could clutch it with her numb little hands.
“Can you pull out or shall I ease out and help?”
“I-can-make it—I think—”
Madge was pulling hard but her heavy clothes made her clumsy. Mimi stretched out on her stomach and inched closer. She held out one hand to Madge and clung to the board with the other. Dit was holding the board. Miss Bassett had sent for her car and was watching the rescue tensely. At the slightest misstep she would interfere.
“I’ve got you, Madge. Steady. You pull and I’ll pull.”
As Madge’s leg finally came up, there was a sickening rip and cracking; the ice around her had given way. Girls screamed as the dark water became visible through the rapidly widening cracks. Madge was submerged to the neck but she held desperately to the board and Mimi had her firmly by the wrist. Calling directions to Dit about the board, Mimi lifted with all her might as Dit jerked the board. Out came Madge skidding across the crackled ice toward them, leaving a trail of slush behind. Her brown suede jacket, her brown pants and boots soaked, she looked like a baby seal. She was more helpless.