“Of course!” exclaimed Bobby, half stunned. “Why—why Margit’s the surest-footed girl I ever saw. You ought to see her running that day along the top of the stone wall!”
“Er—I presume that such unseemly conduct will not be necessary if Margaret becomes a votary of athletics as taught the young ladies of Central High,” returned Miss Carringtan, stiffly.
“Just the same,” Bobby said, in talking over the matter with Laura and the rest of the girls, afterwards, “just the same, Margit Salgo will be a splendid addition to our fighting force some day. Why, she’s got biceps like a boy, and she says she can swim, and skate, and ride. We’re going to have another A-1 champion for Central High in Margit Salgo some day!”
It must be confessed that, about this time, many of the Central High girls gave more thought to athletic matters than they did to their lessons. Still, the unbending rule that only those who kept up with their studies would have a part in the after-hour athletic contests was a solvent for any serious trouble.
The day of the meet was at hand. The athletic teams of the five high schools—three of Centerport and one each from Lumberport and Keyport—were to meet on the Central High field. There were several important trophies, as well as the usual league pins for the winners, and interest in the field day—not alone among the girls themselves—ran high.
Laura Belding and her mates had figured out very carefully just what events Central High was sure to win, and how many of the “uncertain” points were needed to clinch the championship.
They felt sure of the hundred-yard dash; as far as they could learn no girl in any of the five schools had developed the speed of Bobby Hargrew over that short course.
The two hundred and twenty-yard dash and the quarter-mile run were doubtful, despite Bobby’s splendid showing in the latter. The hurdle races were doubtful, too, as well as the shuttle and potato relays.
In the high and broad jumps, as well as the shot-putting, there was serious doubt. The best Laura could figure, Central High would go into the contest needing four points more than they were sure of winning.
Those four points might be supplied by Bobby in the quarter-mile run, one of the chief events of the day, and Eve Sitz in the broad jump and putting the shot.