"I suppose we shall have to think about rigging a garland[#] before long, eh?"
[#] A garland of evergreens is triced up to the triatic stay between the masts on the occasion of an officer's marriage.
The other laughed half-shyly. "Yes, before long, I hope, Number One."
Down came the ivory hammer—
"Gentlemen—Sweethearts and Wives!"
"And may they never meet!" added the Engineer Commander. In reality the most domesticated and blameless of husbands, it was the ambition of his life to be esteemed a sad dog, and that, men should shake their heads over him crying "Fie!"
The First Lieutenant gathered together his silver rings. "Now then, clear the table. She's rolling like a good 'un. Seven to one on the field, bar——"
"Speech!" broke in the Paymaster. "Speech, Shortie! Few words by a young officer about to embark on the troubled sea of matrimony. Hints on the Home——"
The prospective bridegroom shook his head, laughing, and coloured in a way rather pleasant to see. He rose, pushing in his chair. In the inside pocket of his mess-jacket was an unopened letter, saved up-to read over a pipe in peace,
"My advice to you all is——"