"So it was," said Randolph, without betraying much interest.

"Will you lend me your skates, Randolph?" asked Linton.
"I should like to go out and see if I can help Tom in any way."

If any other boy than Linton had made the request, Randolph would
have declined, but he wished, if possible, to add Linton to his
list of friends, and graciously consented.

Before Linton could reach the spot, Tom had been assisted to his
feet, and, with a dazed expression, assisted on either side by
Luke and Edmund Blake, was on his way back to the starting-point.

"What made you get in my way, Tom?" asked Luke, puzzled.

"I don't know," answered Tom, sullenly.

"Are you much hurt?"

"I think my skull must be fractured," moaned Tom.

"Oh, not so bad as that," said Luke, cheerfully. "I've fallen
on my head myself, but I got over it."

"You didn't fall as hard as I did," groaned Tom.

"No, I presume not; but heads are hard, and I guess you'll be all
right in a few days."