“Oh, we’ll make time to go with you!” exclaimed Madge, and she accented the last word. Tom looked at her keenly.
“Come on, then,” invited Phil, and, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he swung alongside of Madge, leaving Tom to walk with Ruth. Nor was Tom at all slow to take advantage of this arrangement, though for a brief instant he hardly knew whether or not he ought to go with her, considering how friendly Madge had been with him since she gave up going with Langridge.
“How does it feel to lose?” asked Ruth, as she walked with Tom.
“Not very good,” he answered, as he listened to Madge’s gay laugh at something Phil said. He was reflecting how well she got along with the handsome quarter-back. But Tom was not unaware of the charms of the pretty girl at his side. They talked on many subjects during the walk to town, and Tom felt like a chap who has had offered to him the choice of two most delightful companions, and cannot tell which one he likes best. Ruth was certainly an attractive girl, and her jolly laugh—but just then he heard the rippling tones of Madge’s voice.
“Oh, hang it all!” he thought to himself. “What am I up against?”
They spent a jolly afternoon before it was time for Tom and Phil to start back to Randall.
“I hope you’ll come over again—soon,” said Ruth to her brother as they were about to part.
“I will, if Miss Tyler will second your invitation,” replied Phil.
“Of course I will,” said Madge heartily.
“Can’t I come, too?” asked Tom.