Nan pulled herself wearily forward a step or two to meet him.
"I say, what's up? What's the matter?" he demanded anxiously, looking into her face and seeing the change it had undergone.
"Nothing! Nothing!" she reassured him quickly. "I'm tired, that's all. And I didn't realize these people were watching us. Let's get out of this. I hate the way they stare. I want to go home."
John took her by the elbow and steered for the bank.
"Won't you find Grace and Louie first? You came with them, didn't you? They won't know what's become of you."
"I don't care! I want to go home!" she repeated irritably.
They sped forward silently, and in a moment had reached the shore. Nan trembled so as she tried to unfasten her skates that John pushed her hands aside and made her submit to having him assist her.
"You've caught cold!" he said remorsefully, "I was a brute to keep urging you on. But I didn't dream you were tired. You looked so bright and well."
"I'm not tired. I haven't caught cold!" said Nan. "Don't bother about me, please. Go back and finish up your skate!"
"Thank you kindly, ma'am," rejoined he, removing his own skates. "But I've finished it up already," and he grasped her arm and tramped her off in the direction of the Park entrance with vigorous steps.