Eddie has been having trouble with a bully at school named Joey Kelly, and refuses to fight back even after Tom teaches him the fine art of self-defense through boxing techniques. Tom is puzzled about Eddie's reluctance to defend himself, until he is called to the school and discovers the identity of the bully. When Tom realizes Joey stays at home alone after school, he invites her to their apartment - much to Eddie's dismay. Tom feels that Mrs. Livingston is just the woman to refine the little tow-headed tomboy. During dinner, she teaches Joey to serve Tom and Eddie Japanese-style. But Joey grows increasingly indignant at having to serve Eddie and wait for her own dinner, and finally explodes. Eddie then must decide whether he will follow his father's orders never to hit a girl, or if he will follow Mr. Kelly's advice and "belt her back."