And Nick, as far as I'm concerned, I'd like to see you take the long-distance prize, honestly and cleanly, if I can't get it myself.

You're a representative of Scranton High, Nick, and we're all out to see the old school do herself proud." Nick seemed taken aback by these hearty words on the part of the fellow whom he had so long sought an opportunity to injure.

He shot a hasty glance, accompanied by the uplifting of his heavy eyebrows, toward his companions, who, thereupon, catching a sly wink, perhaps, both chuckled audibly as though amused.
"Oh! I've already as good as copped that Marathon prize," Nick went on to say, at the same time thrusting out his chin in his customary aggressive and boastful fashion.

"I calculate to give the folks some surprise by the ease with which I'll come in away ahead of the next competitor.

There'll be a wheen of those who also ran, bringing up the tail of the procession.