At Sheen's request Mr Spence made no announcement of the fact thatWrykyn would be represented in the Light-Weights. It would be timeenough, Sheen felt, for the School to know that he was a boxer when hehad been down and shown what he could do. His appearance in his newrole would be the most surprising thing that had happened in the placefor years, and it would be a painful anti-climax if, after all theexcitement which would be caused by the discovery that he could use hishands, he were to be defeated in his first bout. Whereas, if hehappened to win, the announcement of his victory would be all the moreimpressive, coming unexpectedly. To himself he did not admit thepossibility of defeat. He had braced himself up for the ordeal, and herefused to acknowledge to himself that he might not come out of itwell. Besides, Joe Bevan continued to express hopeful opinions.

　　"Just you keep your head, sir." he said, "and you'll win. Lots of thesegentlemen, they're champions when they're practising, and you'd thinknothing wouldn't stop them when they get into the ring. But they getwild directly they begin, and forget everything they've been taught,and where are they then? Why, on the floor, waiting for the referee tocount them out."This picture might have encouraged Sheen more if he had not reflectedthat he was just as likely to fall into this error as were hisopponents.

　　"What you want to remember is to keep that guard up. Nothing can beatthat. And push out your left straight. The straight left rules theboxing world. And be earnest about it. Be as friendly as you likeafterwards, but while you're in the ring say to yourself, 'Well, it'syou or me', and don't be too kind.""I wish you could come down to second me, Joe," said Sheen.

　　"I'll have a jolly good try, sir," said Joe Bevan. "Let me see. You'llbe going down the night before--I can't come down then, but I'll tryand manage it by an early train on the day.""How about Francis?""Oh, Francis can look after himself for one day. He's not the sort ofboy to run wild if he's left alone for a few hours.""Then you think you can manage it?""Yes, sir. If I'm not there for your first fight, I shall come in timeto second you in the final.""If I get there," said Sheen.

　　"Good seconding's half the battle. These soldiers they give you atAldershot--well, they don't know the business, as the saying is. Theydon't look after their man, not like I could. I saw youngwhat's-his-name, of Rugby--Stevens: he was beaten in the final by agentleman from Harrow--I saw him fight there a couple of years ago.

　　After the first round he was leading--not by much, but still, he was apoint or two ahead. Well! He went to his corner and his seconds senthim up for the next round in the same state he'd got there in. Theyhadn't done a thing to him. Why, if I'd been in his corner I'd havetaken him and sponged him and sent him up again as fresh as he couldbe. You must have a good second if you're to win. When you're all ontop of your man, I don't say. But you get a young gentleman of your ownclass, just about as quick and strong as you are, and then you'll knowwhere the seconding comes in.""Then, for goodness' sake, don't make any mistake about coming down,"said Sheen.