Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/105

Rh going to be a shot-putter! If I'd known they were going to spring this on me I wouldn't have signed for the team!"

"I guess maybe it's good for you," replied Perry, "whether you're going to throw weights or run or jump. Hadn't we better start along again? The others are nearly a quarter of a mile away now."

Fudge lifted a dejected head and viewed the situation. His face brightened. "They're going around the hill, Perry," he said. "That's all right. We'll just trot down this side and pick 'em up again at the road."

Perry wanted to demur at that, but Fudge's discomfort was so real that he had to sympathize, and so they cut off to the right and reached the bottom of the hill shortly after the first runners had passed. There were many knowing grins as the two boys trotted out from the fringe of trees.

"Did you lose your way?" asked one chap solicitously.

"No, I lost my breath," replied Fudge. "Had to stop and look for it."

"'And for numerous other reasons,'" remarked a voice behind him.

Fudge glanced back with a scowl, but every face in sight was guileless and innocent.

Later, when they were making their way home