f de Warrenne could lick him, and do the latter a lot of good
to reinstate himself by showing that he was not really a coward in
essentials. Of course they took no interest in the fight as a fight.
Certainly not (but it was observed that Flaherty of the Sixth stopped
the fight most angrily and peremptorily when it was over, and that no
sign of anger or peremptoriness escaped him until it was over--and he
happened to pass behind the gymnasium, curiously enough, just as it
started)....

Good advice was showered upon Dam from all sides. He was counselled to
live on meat, to be a vegetarian, to rise at 4 a.m. and swim, to avoid
all brain-fag, to run twenty miles a day, to rest until the fight, to
get up in the night and swing heavy dumb-bells, to eat no pudding, to
drink no tea, to give up sugar, avoid ices, and deny himself all
"tuck" and everything else that makes life worth living.

He did none of these things--but simply went on as usual, save in one
respect.

For the first time since the adder episode, he was really happy. Why,
he did not know, save that he was about to "get some of his own back,"
to strike a blow against the cruel coward Incubus (for he persisted in
identifying Harberth with the Snake and in regarding him as a
materialization of the life-long Enemy), and possibly to enjoy a brief
triumph over what had so long triumphed over him.

If he were at this time a little mad the wonder is that he was still
on the right side of the Lunatic Asylum gates.

Mad or not, he was happy--and the one thing wanting was the presence
of Lucille at the fight. How he would have loved to show her that he
was not really a coward--given a fair chance and a tangible foe.

If only Lucille could be there--dancing from one foot to the other,
and squealing. (Strictly _between_, and not during, the rounds, of
course.)

"Buck up, Dammy! Ginger for pluck! Never say croak!"

A very large and very informal committee took charge of the business
of the fight, and what was alluded to as "a friendly boxing contest
between Bully Harberth of the Fifth and de Warrenne--late Funky--" was
arranged for the following Saturday afternoon. On being asked by a
delegate of the said large and informal committee as to whether he
would be trained by then or whether he would prefer a more distant
date, Dam replied that he would be glad to fight Harberth that very
moment--and thus gained the reputation of a fierce and determined
fellow (though erst