“You’d better keep still. I don’t want girls meddlin’ with my business,” said Ben, rudely.
“We are the judges,” answered Lou White. “We aren’t meddling.”
By this time, Frankie had thought what he ought to do. It was hard, but Jesus gave him strength to do it bravely. “Never mind,” he said. “Don’t say any more about it. Forgive me, Ben, for being angry with you.”
Ben did feel ashamed then, and the boys and girls looked very much surprised.
“I’d rather not beat than be so mean,” Willie said.
“I’d give it to him,” said Joe, as he carefully examined Express to see if it was marred by its tumble into the ditch.
“I beat anyhow,” Ben said, sullenly, kicking in the snow.
“I think Frank Western beat the best,” said little Millie Ray. “Let’s judge that Frank beat, girls.” So Millie, and Kate, and Lou, and all the girls said that Frankie beat.
“No,” said Frankie, “that isn’t fair. I didn’t beat. Perhaps I might, but I didn’t.”
“Just like girls,” muttered Ben. “Go for a fellow they like.” He walked off, vexed with himself and his playmates, while the others went into the school-room and told Miss Ruth all about it.