I never allow anyone to skate there . I ai n't going to have a parcel of whooping , yelling youngsters tearing over my fences , disturbing my sleep at nights , and like as not setting fire to my barns . No , sir ! I ai n't going to rent that pond for no skating-rink . '' Ned smothered a smile . `` Just wait a moment , Mr. Dutcher , '' he said respectfully . `` I want you to hear my proposition before you refuse definitely . First , I 'll give you ten dollars for the rent of the pond ; then I 'll see that there will be no running over your fields and climbing your fences , no lighting of fire or matches about it , and no ` whooping and yelling ' at nights . My rink will be open only from two to six in the afternoon and from seven to ten in the evening . During that time I shall always be at the pond to keep everything in order . The skaters will come and go by the lane leading from the barn to the road . I think that if you agree to my proposition , Mr. Dutcher , you will not regret it . '' `` What 's to prevent my running such a rink myself ? '' asked Old Dutcher gruffly . `` It would n't pay you , Mr. Dutcher , '' answered Ned promptly . `` The Carleton boys would n't patronize a rink run by you . '' Old Dutcher 's eyes twinkled . It did not displease him to know that the Carleton boys hated him . In fact , it seemed as if he rather liked it . `` Besides , '' went on Ned , `` you could n't afford the time .
You could n't be XXXXX the pond for eight hours a day and until ten o'clock at night .
Besides During at by for of on over that to