"That may be, but Dave is as quick as they make them."
So the talk ran on, as the boys in the gymnasium gathered around the would-be contestants. They felt that, no matter who won, they were going to see something worth while. Many secretly hoped that the boxing match would degenerate into a regular fight, for they knew that Dave and Merwell were bitter enemies, and the majority wanted to see the big bully soundly whipped.
"We'll have to have a referee and a timekeeper," said Dave. "Who shall they be?"
"A referee and a timekeeper?" repeated Link Merwell. "Why don't you start her up and have done with it?"
"This is to be no prize fight, Merwell. I shall box you for points only."
"Oh!" The bully put as much of a sneer into the exclamation as possible. "Afraid to finish it up, eh?"
"Perhaps you'll get all you want before we stop," answered Dave, calmly.
"What kind of gloves do you want? The thickest in the place, I suppose."
"No, a medium glove will do for me. Mr. Dodsworth recommends the number five."