Here a bunch galloped swiftly around the cinder path, with one of their number holding the watch on them to ascertain what time they made.

Further along several other fellows were jumping with might and main, and showing either jubilation or deep chagrin as they found themselves able to do a shade better than ever before, or else going backward in their scoring.
Indeed, that was going to be a red-letter day in the lives of all Scranton's young people.

They begrudged the passing minutes, because their period of enjoyment would be shortened just so much with the loss of every sixty seconds.
When Hugh came on the grounds, after his trip to Hackensack, and seeing the hermit of the quarry once more safely lodged in the bosom of his delighted family, he had only one regret.

This was the fact that poor K.K., whose heart had been so set on carrying the colors of Scranton High to victory in the Marathon race, should be debarred from participating in the same by a cruel fate.
As for himself Hugh was not quite so certain as before that he could accomplish such a thing as getting over those fifteen miles ahead of all competitors.

What he had gone through with on the preceding day, coupled with his night journey, and only partial rest, after getting in bed at a late hour, had sapped some of his energy.
But Hugh's grit and determination were just as strong as ever, and he meant to do his level best.