Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/279

Rh a long time ago. "How are you feeling? Ever up so early before?"

"A few times," Perry laughed. "Usually on the Fourth."

"Had anything to eat or drink?"

"No, sir, the fire wasn't lighted. I'm not hungry, though."

"Better have something inside you. We'll stop at the drug store and get some hot malted-milk."

This they did, and then went on to the field. It was a fine, warm May morning, and after yesterday's showers the world looked and smelled fresh and fragrant. They found the gates at the field locked, but it was no trick at all to climb over the fence. Fudge had agreed to meet them there with his stop-watch, although Mr. Addicks had assured him that a time-trial was unthought of, but he was not on hand nor did he appear at all that morning. Later he explained that the maid had forgotten to call him.

Inside, Mr. Addicks threw off his ulster and, while Perry got into his running togs, stretched his long legs and surprised his muscles by various contortions to which they were long unused. Perry was soon back and Mr. Addicks put him on his mark and sent him away at little more than a jog. "Head up," he instructed. "Shorten your stride.