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 on the pond for eight hours a day and until ten o'clock at night . I can , as I 've nothing else to do just now . If I had , I would n't have to be trying to make money by a skating-rink . '' Old Dutcher scowled . Ten dollars was ten dollars and , as Ned had said , he knew very well that he could not run a rink by himself . `` Well , '' he said , half reluctantly , `` I suppose I 'll let you go ahead . Only remember I 'll hold you responsible if anything happens . '' Ned went home in high spirits .
By the next day he had placards out in conspicuous places -- on the schoolhouse , at the forge , at Mr. Rogers 's store , and at Winterby Corners -- announcing that he had rented Mr. XXXXX 's pond for a skating-rink , and that tickets for the same at twenty-five cents a week for each skater could be had upon application to him .
Carleton Dutcher Ned afternoon day dollars evening night skaters skating-rink