“Oh, no. That ith not pothible,” piped Tommy.
“Come on, fellows. We will get out of here before they make us angry,” urged Captain Baker, snatching up his hat and starting away.
“Please wait,” begged Miss Elting.
“What about our compact?” called Harriet.
“We’re going on and win the race. We’ll show you that you aren’t such athletes as you think. At least you shan’t make fools of us at that. Good night.”
Captain Baker and his friends strode angrily from the camp. They did not so much as look back. Perhaps the boys were really not so angry as they pretended to be.
“It’s too bad. I didn’t think they would take it that way,” cried Harriet. “I surely thought they would be able to take a joke. Well, what’s done can’t be undone. There’s nothing more to be done except to go on and try to win the race.”
Jane had disappeared. Where she had gone the girls did not know. It was some time before she returned and when she did she was excited. Her hair was awry and her face flushed.
“Jane, where have you been?” demanded the guardian.