This question was addressed to Abel.
"Yes," answered Abel.
He had legs unusually long for his size, and thought he could outdo the others. Arrangements were made, and John Holman started off. He jumped seven feet on a standing jump. Abel followed and beat his distance by three inches.
"How's that?" he asked, complacently.
"Very fair," said Gerald. "Now I will try."
His jump was seven feet four inches. Abel frowned and looked displeased, and was even more dissatisfied when Munroe jumped seven feet six inches.
"You boys are fresh," he said. "I am tired. I have jumped seven feet nine inches when I was in good condition."
None of the three boys believed him, but Munroe said, politely:
"We will try again some day when you can do yourself justice. None of us can jump as far as that."
"Are you going to stay in Portville some time?" he asked.