"Not much. I told you I'd get ye a real chance—"
"Why," cried Spike, "if I was t' lick Young Alf, I'd be in line t' meet th' top-notchers!"
"Sure—if you lick him!" nodded M'Ginnis grimly.
"Say," said Spike, his face radiant, "I've just been waitin' an' waitin' for a chance like this—a chance t' show you an' th' bunch I can handle myself, an' now"—he stopped all at once, and shaking his head gloomily, turned away. "I forgot, I—I can't, Bud."
"Aw, what's bitin' ye?"
"I can't come t'night."
"Won't come, ye mean!"
"Can't, Bud."
"Why not?"
"I promised Hermy t' quit fightin'—"