"And she doesn't like you to fight, eh?"

"Nope! But y' see--she's only a girl, Geoff!"

"And that's the wonder of it!" nodded Mr. Ravenslee.

"Wonder? What d' ye mean?"

"I mean that all these years she has managed to feed you, and clothe
you, and keep a comfortable home for you, and she's--only a girl!"

"Well, and ain't I tryin' to make good?" cried the boy eagerly.

"Are you really, Spike?"

"Sure! There's lots o' money in d' fightin' game, an' I'm fightin' all
for Hermy. If ever I get a champ, I'll have money to burn, an' then
she'll never be shy on d' dollar question no more, you bet! There'll
be no more needlework or Mulligan's for Hermy; it'll be a farm in d'
country wid roses climbin' around, an' chickens, an'--an' automobiles,
an' servants to come when she pushes d' button--you bet!"

"Is she so fond of the country?"

"Well, I guess yes! An' flowers--Gee, she nearly eats 'em!"

"On the other hand," said Mr. Ravenslee, watching the smoke from his
pipe with a dreamy eye, "on the other hand I gather she does not
like--Mr. M'Ginnis! I wonder why?"