Tom were laughing at him. He had been the last to get away each time
from the starting platform, and he could not catch up with the
others. Perhaps that was the stout girl's fault; but Ruth would climb
the hill no faster than Jennie, and so the third toboggan continued
far behind the others. As they panted up the hill Tom and his two
companions shot past and waved their hands at them; then followed Bob
Steele's crew and Helen shouted some laughing gibe at them. Isadore's
face grew black.

"I declare! I wish you girls would stir yourselves. Hurry up!" he
growled quite ungallantly.

"What's the hurry?" panted Heavy.

"There's nobody paying us for this; is there? Let 'em catch up with
us and then we will be--all--to--geth--er--Woof! My goodness me, I'm
winded," and she had to stop on the hill and breathe.

"Go on and leave us. Take one trip by yourself, Isadore," said Ruth.

"No, I won't," returned Phelps, ungratefully. "Then they'll all gab
about it. Come along; will you?"

"Don't you mind him, Jennie," whispered Ruth. "I don't think he's
very nice."

They got aboard the toboggan once more and Isadore recklessly flung
himself on it, too, and pushed off. At the moment there came a shrill
hail from below. Tom was sending up some word of warning--at the very
top of his voice.