Then Jason started to climb down again. When he was just a little way down, he called, "Try to catch me, Baartock!"
Baartock knew what to do. He started climbing down, chasing Jason as fast as he could. By now, Jason was on the ground, running past the swings. When Baartock got down, he started running. He ran past the swings, past the slide. He was catching up to Jason, he had almost caught him, when a there was a whistle and Jason stopped. Baartock crashed into him and they both fell down. Jason got on his feet right away.
"We've got to go in now," he said as he pulled Baartock to his feet. "We have to go line up. Come on."
Baartock didn't understand what they were going to do, but he walked along with Jason. As they walked over to where Mrs. Stogbuchner was standing, Baartock said, "I caught you."
"I can run faster," answered Jason. "Next time you won't."
Mrs. Stogbuchner again blew her whistle. "Recess is over. Time to go inside," she called. Then she saw Baartock and Jason. "Making friends already, Baartock? Jason, please let Baartock sit next to you and help him along today."
"Yes, Mrs. Stogbuchner," said Jason.
"Everybody settle down," called Mrs. Stogbuchner as she walked past the children, who were lining up.
"I'm supposed to be first today, right, Mrs. Stogbuchner?" called a boy from the front of the line.
"All right, Jimmy," she answered.