Well , here is the crossroad , so I must get off . Thank you for the drive , sir . '' `` Keep on thinking , Ned , '' advised Mr. Rogers , as the lad jumped out . `` Perhaps you 'll hit on some plan yet to earn that money , and if you do -- well , it will prove that you have good stuff in you . '' `` I think it would , '' laughed Ned to himself , as he trudged away . `` A quiet little farming village in winter is n't exactly a promising field for financial operations . '' At Winterby Corners Ned found a crowd of boys waiting for him , and soon paired off with his chum , Jim Slocum . Jim , as usual , was grumbling because they had to go all the way to Windsor to skate . `` Like as not we 'll get into a free fight with the Windsorites when we get there , and be chevied off the ice , '' he complained . The rivalry which existed between the Carleton and the Windsor boys was bitter and of long standing . `` We ought to be able to hold our own tonight , '' said Ned . `` There 'll be thirty of us there . '' `` If we could only get Old Dutcher to let us skate on his pond ! '' said Jim . `` It would n't hurt his old pond ! And the ice is always splendid on it . I 'd give a lot if we could only go there . '' Ned was silent . A sudden idea had come to him . He wondered if it were feasible .
`` Anyhow , I 'll try it , '' he said XXXXX himself .
At because for if in of on so that to