Besides , although Old Dutcher disliked all boys on principle , he disliked Ned less than the rest because the boy had always treated him respectfully and had never played any tricks on him on Hallowe'en or April Fool 's Day . `` I 've come down to see you on a little matter of business , Mr. Dutcher , '' said Ned , boldly and promptly . It never did to beat about the bush with Old Dutcher ; you had to come straight to the point . `` I want to know if you will rent your pond behind the barn to me for a skating-rink . '' Old Dutcher 's aspect was certainly not encouraging . `` No , I wo n't . You ought to know that . 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 XXXXX gruffly .
Dutcher First Hallowe'en Ned afternoon dollars fire nights skaters skating-rink