ought to use his own skates."

"There is nothing unfair about it," said the teacher, "except that
Luke is placed at disadvantage in using a pair of skates he is
unaccustomed to."

Randolph did not dare gainsay the teacher, but he looked sullen.

"Mr. Hooper is always favoring that beggar!" he said in a low
voice, to Tom Harper.

"Of course he is!" chimed in the toady.

"You are very kind, Linny," said Luke, regarding his friend
affectionately. "I won't soon forget it."

"Oh, it's all right, Luke," said Linton. "Now go in and win!"



CHAPTER II

TOM HARPER'S ACCIDENT


Tom Harper and Sam Noble were not wholly disinterested in their
championship of Randolph. They were very ordinary skaters, and stood
no chance of winning the match themselves. They wished Randolph to
win, for each hoped, as he had a silver watch himself already, he
might give the Waterbury to his faithful friend and follower.