Johnny’s only reply was a grin.
“Go ’way! No can box-a da bear when you all time loafin’ here.”
The Italian was dancing with rage.
“You can’t box anyway, so what’s the difference?” Johnny grinned again.
“No can box?” The Italian stormed, “No can box? You wan’na see?”
“Sure, show me,” Johnny grinned.
An extra pair of gloves lay near by. Allegretti kicked them toward him. “Putta dem on. ‘No can box,’ he says. Allegretti show dat bum!”
He squared away in such an awkward manner that Johnny found it hard to suppress a smile.
“Now where do you want me to hit you first?” Johnny asked politely.
The answer was a volley of quick blows, which all fell upon Johnny’s well managed gloves.