They saw the Belden boys skating on their side of the lake, too, and other boys, from the two villages, who did not go to either school, skated where they pleased.
On half holidays bounds were released, but if the boys wished to skate the length of the lake a teacher went along. Owing to the feeling between the boys of the two schools, Dr. Raymond did not even test the Lower School with Barry Gray for monitor.
Bobby, of course, entered into all these sports. Even Fred thought that his chum’s punishment had ended, and likely enough the red-haired boy had forgotten all about his interrupted fight with Sparrow Bangs.
Fred and Sparrow were the best of friends. To tell the truth, Bobby Blake was somewhat gloomy these days—he was not as much fun as usual.
Fred put it down to the fact of the mystery regarding Mr. and Mrs. Blake. Of course, a fellow could not be very jolly when he did not know for sure whether his father and mother were dead or alive!
However, Fred did not see how he could help his chum. He did his best to liven Bobby up; but was not very successful at it. It did really seem to Fred as though Bobby "gloomed about" altogether too much.
"It’s all right for a fellow to feel badly about his folks," said Ginger to Sparrow, who had become his confidant for the time being, "but you can’t get him out of his grouch."
"He’s trying to be too good," scoffed Sparrow. "I bet he’s aiming to get the medal."
"Scubbity-_yow_!" ejaculated Fred. "That would be great!"
"Pshaw! he can’t get it. No Lower School boy ever got it. I expect Barry Gray will be medal man _this_ year."
"He won’t get _my_ vote," declared Fred, shaking his head.
Fred was used to this nickname now, and did not get mad at it, but he shook his head, and said:
"Just for _that_. Barry nicknamed me. He’s too fresh."
"Aw, pshaw! you’re prejudiced," laughed Sparrow.
None of the boys realized what the matter was with Bobby. And he would not tell Fred that he had anything to do with forming the cloud under which Bobby suffered.
The silence of his father and mother—the uncertainty about them—_did_ trouble Bobby continually. Yet he had a deep-seated hope that all would come out right about them. Barry Gray’s comforting words regarding the shipwreck had fired his imagination.