"Look," she said in an undertone, for the boys were already within ear shot.
"Oh! the dickens," exclaimed Betty crossly, "why couldn't they have gone somewhere else?"
Mrs. Baird had also seen the new arrivals and noticed the girls' hesitation. She beckoned Louise to her side.
"Don't pay any attention to them," she said, "and I'm sure they won't disturb you."
"Let's play hockey again," she suggested.
"Well, come on, let's start," Florence whirled into position. But Angela's eyes were glued to the group of boys.
"I can't help it, I never saw a boy with redder hair." Instinctively they all turned.
"Stop, this is terrible, let's start something."
They took their positions and were again skirmishing after the puck.
"Oh, let's quit, I'm dead," Angela pleaded weakly, after they had played for a time. She had been buffeted about until she was completely winded.
"All right, lazy, you rest and we'll crack the whip," teased Betty.
As she said it, she took a chance whack at the puck with her hockey stick and sent it spinning. Over the ice it flew, while the girls looked on in fascinated horror, for it was heading directly for the boys, and never stopped until it had landed at the feet of the red-headed one.
Angela giggled outright. Then, for almost a minute there was absolute silence. All eyes were centered on the puck.
At last the red-headed boy lifted his stick and sent it back.
Betty called "Thank you ever so much," and he answered:
"Don't mention it," and pulled off his military cap, completely uncovering his fiery head. Then he and his friends skated off in the opposite direction.
"It is red, and no mistake," laughed Florence.
"It's a wonder it doesn't melt the ice," Angela answered. "What's the matter, Bet?" she added.
"You're all very unkind, he can't help it," Betty replied, straightening up. "I'm sure he's most polite. I like him," she finished decidedly.
The girls didn't know whether to tease her or not, so, to change the subject, Louise suggested the forgotten game.
"Get ready for crack the whip," she said. "Bet, you lead."
The girls put their hands on one another's shoulders, forming a long line, and Betty started off, skating fast and keeping straight ahead. Suddenly, when everybody was going like the wind she gave a sharp turn to the right and the girls went pell mell in every direction.