Three and a half, they
cost, at Mr. Harrison's hardware store. I gave my 'Jolly Ramblers' to
a kid about your size. A mighty good little skate they are!" And, with
a long, graceful stroke, Ralph Evans skated away.
And it seemed to Tom Reynolds that all his Christmas joy went skimming
away behind him. The sun still shone, the ice still gleamed, the
skaters laughed and sang, but Tom moved slowly on, with listless,
heavy strokes. The "Jolly Ramblers" still twinkled beneath his feet,
but he looked down at them no more. What was the use of "Jolly
Ramblers" when Ralph Evans had a pair of "Club House" skates that cost
a dollar more, had a graceful curve, and a faultless clamp, and were
guaranteed for a year?
It was only four o'clock when Tom slipped his new skates carelessly
over his shoulder and started up the bank for home. He was slouching
down the main street, head down, hands thrust deep into his pockets,
when, on turning a corner, he ran plump into--a full moon! Now I know
it is rather unusual for full moons to be walking about the streets by
daylight; but that is the only adequate description of the round,
freckled face that beamed at Tom from behind a great box, held by two
sturdy arms.
"That came pretty near being a collision," said the owner of the full
moon, still beaming, as he set down the box and leaned against a
building to rest a moment.
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