“They are not so good as yours.”
“I know that, but they are good enough for going.”
“You seem to have changed your opinion. You objected to my using Harry’s skates, which are like yours.”
“Because I wanted to give you the advantage of your own skates.”
“Are you willing to have a second trial, in which I use Harry’s skates?”
If Rupert had been prudent he would have made some excuse for declining, but I have already said that he was self-conceited about his skating, and he really believed that he could skate faster than Tom. In the event of a second trial, he would have a chance to show this. After slight hesitation, therefore, he said:
“Yes; I’ll try again, just to satisfy you.”
It was decided to start from the further end of the pond, and again Harry Julian was selected to give the word.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” answered both boys.