“Perhaps not. But there was no need to offend him.”
“Most of these officers are a trifle too cocky,” declared Stubbs. “I thought I’d take him down a peg.”
“Don’t forget, Mr. Stubbs,” said Chester, taking a step forward, “that I’m an officer, too. I can have you placed under arrest, you know.”
“You won’t, though,” said Stubbs.
“Won’t I?” said Chester. “Why won’t I?”
“In the first place,” said Stubbs, “because you are too glad to see me again. And in the second place, because I’ve got something to tell you.”
“Out with it then, Mr. Stubbs,” said Hal.
“Wait a minute, now, just wait a minute,” said Stubbs. “Take me to your quarters where we can be quiet. You’ll have to put me up for the night, anyhow, and we might as well be comfortable while we chat.”
The three made their way to the lads’ quarters. Stubbs sat down on the edge of Hal’s bunk and produced a pipe.
“Learned to smoke yet?” he asked of the boys.