Such, however, was not the opinion of the boys. From what they had seen they entertained no doubt as to which was the better skater of the two, and Rupert would have risen in their opinion if he had manfully admitted his defeat.
At half-past nine the skating party broke up, and the young skaters went home.
Tom and Harry walked together.
“To-morrow evening,” said Tom, “I mean to call on Squire Simpson, and ask him about father’s life in California. I shall feel easier when I learn all that is to be known about it.”
CHAPTER IV.
A FALSE FRIEND.
MR. SIMPSON was not a justice of the peace, but his fellow-citizens had got into the habit of calling him “squire,” and the title was not unpleasant to him.
He sat, in dressing-gown and slippers, in a comfortable sitting-room, reading a city paper, when a servant appeared at the door.
“There’s a boy at the door who says he would like to see you, sir.”
“Who is it?” asked Mr. Simpson.