"Don't start again just yet," she begged. "I'm tired."
As they stood there, a pounding, scurrying figure in black, Red Brown, sped past at top speed. Silvey followed closely, noted the situation, and slowed up.
"Leave her in the skating house and come on," he called. "Red's got it and we're having heaps of fun."
Skinny Mosher and Perry Alford came, both in pursuit of the fleet-footed Brown. Sid DuPree, puffing audibly, stopped just out of reach, glad of any pretext to halt long enough to catch his breath.
"Let's see her skate," he sneered, knowing that Louise dared not release her escort for pursuit. "You're a fine teacher, you are. Don't you wish you were with us?"
John's eyes followed him longingly as he skated off. The temptation of Silvey's invitation was great, and with any other maiden, would have proved fatal. But the lure of the rosy dream for the future was still strong. He freed himself gently from her grasp, and was two yards away before she realized what he had done.
"There," he said with satisfaction. "I knew you could stand up. Now, skate to me."
"Aw-w-w, Johnny, come on back. I'm going to fall!"
"No you're not," said John decisively. "Try and you'll see."
Louise essayed one ineffectual stroke and stood helpless. "I t-think you're just horrid," she whimpered.