"Yes."
"Then, Robert, you will have the honor of closing this contest."
Under ordinary circumstances Robert would not have cared to win, but he had chanced to overhear Ronald's objections to associating with circus performers, and had noticed the airs of superiority which he assumed, and he thought he would like to take down his pride a little. His training had given him unusual strength and elasticity of limb, and he was better prepared than any of the other boys to excel in a contest of this kind.
He took the position which had been marked as the starting point, and standing for a moment motionless, made a sudden spring forward, and the result was regarded with admiring astonishment.
"Six feet and eight inches!" declared Sidney, after measuring. "You are the champion, Robert. None of us can come up with you."
The face of Ronald was an interesting study. He was astonished and mortified. He couldn't bear to have his record surpassed.
"It wan't a fair leap," he said with chagrin. "He stood too far forward."
"No, he didn't," answered, Sidney; "I noticed how he stood myself."
"If you like, I will jump again," said Robert quietly, turning to Ronald.