Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/226

 as that," replied Tom, indifferently. "But if my memory serves me, you did not consult me in regard to it."

These words produced the utmost consternation among the boys in the corner.

"Are you going back from your word?" cried Noble, as soon as he could speak.

"What do you mean by that?" demanded Tom.

"You know very well what he means," exclaimed Bob Lord, who, it will be remembered, had been "booked" to win the upset race. "Now, look here, Bigden: You have been running with Wayring a good deal, of late, and we might have expected this of you. You want Wayring to win because you think he can do more to get you into the archery club than we can; but I assure you that you are mistaken there. You can't get in without our votes, and if you go back on us we shan't give them to you."

"I don't want Wayring to win," said Tom, emphatically. "My Cousin Loren is going to come out at the top of the heap in this race."

"Well, I'll bet you a dollar he isn't,"