“That means Elmer’ll win,” declared Nettie.
“Why not let Prof. Schmidt start it?” suggested some one.
Readily the genial professor consented; and taking his position at the opposite end of the line from where the two girls stood, he cried:
“Eferybody get retty! You Schnooks, you get back onto the line. Don’t try to shteal a yard.”
Grumbling to himself, the boy obeyed.
“Now, vonce again. Eferybody retty! Von, two, t’ree—Go!”
Eagerly the boys dashed forward and for a few minutes they were all bunched together. Then Elmer, Snooks, Longback and Harry dashed ahead of the others, and for a few moments raced neck and neck.
“Go it, Elmer!” “Go it Longback!” shouted their partisans, and as though the good wishes of their friends gave them greater speed, the two boys forged ahead.
“Oh, why doesn’t somebody shout for Harry Watson!” exclaimed Viola, stamping her foot.
“Going back on Elmer so soon,” chided several of the girls who were with her. She made them no reply, but instead, skating after the racers.