“Good boy to obey his daddy, and thereby let me have his place. Come for a whirl?”
“Do you want me to?” and Bernice looked coquettish.
“Sure! Been living all my life for this moment! Wow! You’re a peach of a skater! All crosspatch girls are.”
“What!” and Bernice stopped short, thinking she could not have heard aright.
“You heard me,” said Bert, carelessly. “Why? Didn’t you know you’re crosspatch? It’s written in every line of your expressive face.”
Bert was laughing so pleasantly, that Bernice was bewildered. Did he mean what he was saying? Was it a joke? Or what was the explanation?
“I know all about your bargain with my sister.”
“Needn’t get huffy,” Bert went on. “I s’pose you can’t help it. Pity, too, such a nice girl spoiled by bad temper! Well, I don’t mind; I like crosspatches myself.”