Ned 's frank face clouded over . `` I 'm afraid not , sir . The truth is , I guess Mother ca n't afford it . Of course , Aunt Ella has very kindly offered to board me free for the term , but fees , books , and so on would require at least fifty dollars . I do n't expect to go . '' `` That 's a pity . Ca n't you earn the necessary money yourself ? '' Ned shook his head . `` Not much chance for that in Carleton , Mr. Rogers . I 've cudgelled my brains for the past month trying to think of some way , but in vain . 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 XXXXX be able to hold our own tonight , '' said Ned .
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