The girls giggled over this, and Bob Steele blushed. But he took his sister's chaffing goodnaturedly. Tom Cameron, however, was very much disturbed over the absence of Ruth Fielding.
"We'd better hurry out on the ice. We've got an awful strict teacher with us," said Mary Cox, hastily.
"You take care of my sister, too; will you, Bob?" said Tom, bluntly. "I shall wait and bring Miss Fielding down."
"Oh, she'll look out for herself," said Mary Cox, slightingly. "We must hurry if we want any fun."
"Helen and I wouldn't have much fun if Ruth were left behind," declared Master Tom, firmly. "Go on, Bob; we'll catch up with you."
"Hadn't you better come, too, Tom?" whispered Helen, doubtfully.
"Why, we want Ruth with us; don't we?" demanded the puzzled Tom, looking at her in wonder. "Go on, Nell. We'll be with you shortly."
"Why, I want to introduce you to the other girls," said Helen, pouting. "And I haven't seen you myself for so long."
"It's too bad you got separated from your spoon, Nell," said her brother, calmly. "But I shall wait and bring her."
