“You! You couldn’t make a cat sneeze!” jeered Alf. “I’ll be very glad to show you what I know, Pennimore,” he added kindly. “We’ll get together some day real soon. We can use the boxing room in the gym Saturday afternoons, I guess. As to Thompson—well, you’ve shown him you won’t stand for his nonsense, and I guess he will let you alone after this. But boxing is mighty good exercise and it will do you good.”
“I’m awfully much obliged,” murmured Gerald. “I guess you will find me pretty stupid, though.”
“That’s all right. You’ll learn. You’re light on your feet and you look quick. Here, don’t rush off, Dan.”
“Must. Gerald and I have got studying to do.”
“Well, so have I, but you don’t see me worrying about it, do you?” laughed Alf. “Sit down and be sociable.”
“Can’t, honest!” replied Dan. “Good night, you fellows.”
After they had gone Tom looked across at Alf.
“Well?” he asked.
“Well what?”
“He isn’t such a sissy after all, is he?”