310 Hans Brinker

.

All this not said as a complaint, but just because she
was looking at him, and really wished to know. He
could not speak of last night’s bitter disappointment; for
that secret was not wholly his own.

“ Good-by, Annie!” he said at last. “The morning is
going fast; and I must haste to Amsterdam, and sell these
skates. Mother must have money at once. Before night-
fall I shall certainly find a job somewhere.”

“Sell your new skates, Hans!” cried Annie, — “you,
the best skater around Broek! Why, the race is com-
ing off in five days.”

“T know it,” he answered resolutely. ‘“ Good-by ! I shall
skate home again on the old wooden ones.”

Such a bright glance !—so different from Janzoon’s ugly
grin! And Hans was off like an arrow.

“ Hans, come back !” she called.

Her voice changed the arrow into a top. Spinning around,
he darted, in one long, leaning sweep, toward her.

“‘ Then you really are going to sell your new skates, if you
can find a customer.”

“ Of course I am,” he replied, looking up with a smile.

>

“Well, Hans, if you are going to sell your skates,” said
Annie, somewhat confused, — “ I mean if you — well, I know
somebody who would like to buy them: that’s all.”

“ Not Janzoon Kolp?” asked Hans, flushing.

“Oh, no!” she pouted. “He is not one of my friends.”

“ But you ézow him,” persisted Hans.

Annie laughed. “ Yes, I know him; and it’s all the worse
for him that I do. Now, please, Hans, don’t ever talk any
more to me about Janzoon. I hate him!”

“Hate him? You hate any one, Annie?”