"It would, of course, be a terrific act of kindness on your part to me if you knocked Foster out," I said; "and also it would be an act of justice to yourself; and also it would be what is expected of third form chaps."
"You speak as a fighter yourself," said Saunders minor.
"I am, of course, a great fighter," I said, "and have only once been beaten, and that by West, who is a champion and nearly two years older than me. But I believe you would be a very good fighter if you cared about it."
"I never should care about it," said Saunders minor. "But the point is Foster. Supposing he refuses to fight?"
"My dear chap," I said, "he couldn't. You've got a frightful grievance against him. The sixth, when they heard, would mighty soon make him fight."
"You'll second me, Thwaites, if it comes off?"
"Yes," I said. "Certainly I will."
Saunders minor began to think again, and his forehead became much furrowed.
"I'm just wondering, if I explained to my father about it, whether he'd still give me the watch if I succeeded in licking Foster," he said.
I told him that from what I knew of fathers like his it was very unlikely, and he'd better not hope.