Laura and Belle _did_ make some small purchases of materials out of which they intended to make gifts for the approaching holiday.
As they came out of the last store they moved toward the corner, the girls intending to take a car to pay a little visit to an aunt of Laura's before the afternoon was over.
Dick saw something in one of the windows at the corner and signed to Dave to come over.

The two girls were left, momentarily, standing on the corner.
While they stood thus Fred Ripley came along.

His first lesson in pitching had been brief, the great Everett declining to tire the boy's arm too much at the first drill.

So young Ripley, after a twelve-mile trip in the auto through the crisp December air, came swinging down the street at a brisk walk.
Just as this moment he espied the two girls, though he did not see Dick or Dave.

Belle happened to turn as Ripley came near her.
"Hullo, Meade!" he called, patronizingly.
It is a trick with some High School boys thus to address a girl student by her last name only, but it is not the act of a gentleman.
Belle resented it by stiffening at once, and glancing coldly at Ripley without greeting him.
In another instant Dave Darrin, at a bound, stood before the astonished Fred.