“That’s very beautiful,” replied Jimmy. “So beautiful that it almost makes me cry. How did that crumb of doughnut come on your coat?”
Herb hastily brushed his coat and Jimmy laughed loudly.
“There wasn’t any crumb there,” he finally said. “But I know now who got my doughnuts. I see I’ll have to put padlocks on my pockets.”
The laugh was on Herb, and Jimmy good-humoredly but persistently dwelt on the subject as he led the way to the supper table.
They still ate, as at the start of their voyage, with the petty officers of the ship. Captain Springer, who was very grateful to the boys for having once saved his life, had invited them to eat with him and the other chief officers at their mess. But the boys had felt that they would often be in the way when the officers were talking over official matters, and so, while thanking the captain warmly for his courtesy, they had asked to remain where they were.
They felt, too, more at their ease without frills or formalities to worry about, and they found themselves in the company of a genial, intelligent lot of men where laughter was free and jokes were plenty. And as far as the food was concerned, both in quantity and quality, they could ask for nothing better. Jimmy had pronounced it “bang up,” and anything that received that epicure’s approval left nothing else to be desired.
“Coming to see you tonight, Mr. Johnson,” Bob announced to the chief wireless operator.
“Come right along,” answered Johnson, heartily. “You’ll be as welcome as the flowers in spring.”
The Radio Boys took a short turn on deck after supper, and then accepted the operator’s invitation. When they trooped into the wireless room, they found Dr. Fisher, the medical officer of the ship, sitting beside the sending set of Marston, the assistant operator.
The doctor was a short, round, jolly man, with whom the boys had already made acquaintance. He was a great favorite with them. He was full of tales of the sea, which he had sailed for many years. But the genial manner and the quips and jokes with which he abounded did not obscure the fact that he was thoroughly educated and very skillful in his profession.