He was not a "fighting character;" and being a sensible boy, he had a hearty contempt for Johnny Grippen.

He was not afraid of him, and though he never went an inch out of his way to avoid a fight with him, it so happened they had never fought.

He was entirely indifferent to his threats, and had no great opinion of his courage.

Johnny had "stumped" him to fight, and even taken off his coat and dared him to come; but Tommy would laugh at him, tell him to put on his coat or he would catch cold; and, contrary to the general opinion among boys, no one ever thought the less of him for the true courage he exhibited on these occasions.
Johnny did not like to be told that Tommy was coming, for it reminded him that, as the king bully of the neighborhood, one of his subjects was unconquered and rebellious.

But Johnny had discretion--and bullies generally have it.