Slowly, for Randolph was really
a fine skater and had no rival except Luke. But Luke was his
superior, as seemed likely to be proved.
Though only these two stood any chance of final success,
all the boys kept up the contest.
A branch of a tree had been placed at the western end of the
pond, and this was the mark around which the boys were to skate.
Luke made the circuit first, Randolph being about half a dozen
rods behind. After him came the rest of the boys in procession,
with one exception. This exception was Tom Harper, who apparently
gave up the contest when half-way across, and began skating about,
here and there, apparently waiting for his companions to return.
"Tom Harper has given up his chance," said Linton to the teacher.
"So it seems," replied Mr. Hooper, "but he probably had
no expectation of succeeding."
"I should think he would have kept on with the rest. I would
have done so, though my chance would have been no better than his."
Indeed, it seemed strange that Tom should have given up
so quickly. It soon appeared that it was not caprice, but that
he had an object in view, and that a very discreditable one.
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