“Say, Bryant, run up to the room, will you, and find a pair of hockey gloves on the table. I forgot them.”
“I’m tired, Holden,” replied Bert quietly. “Send some one else.”
Ben stared in surprise. Then he frowned and, leaning over the barrier, seized Bert’s ear. “Tired, eh? Well, you forget that, kid, and run along and do as I tell you. You’re much too fresh for this place.”
Bert jerked away, rubbed the ear and smiled sweetly. “I’d like mighty well to know what you did before I came, Holden,” he said. “I’m wearing my shoes out running errands for you.”
“Are you going?” demanded Ben threateningly.
“No, I’m not!”
“I’ll get them,” volunteered Lanny Grey.
“All right,” said Ben, “but get a move on. They’re on the table or the bureau or somewhere there. As for you,” he added, scowling at Bert, “I’ll teach you to do as you’re told before you’ve been here much longer.”
Bert turned away without reply and, while Lanny sped back to the house, walked around the rink to where the other two juniors, Kid and Small, were standing. They greeted him eagerly.