They sat there. Across a thousand miles of warm water the trade winds came to fan their cheeks. Just above the horizon hung the Southern Cross; the Island lights trembled along the shore; the yellow eye on Diamond Head was winking. A gorgeous setting. Only one thing was wrong with it. It seemed rather crowded.
John Quincy had an inspiration. "Just as I hit the water," he remarked, "I thought I heard you say something about my dive. Didn't you like it?"
"It was rotten," replied the lieutenant amiably.
"You offered to show me what was wrong with it, I believe?"
"Sure. If you want me to."
"By all means," said John Quincy. "Learn one thing every day. That's my motto."
Lieutenant Booth went to the end of the springboard. "In the first place, always keep your ankles close together—like this."
"I've got you," answered John Quincy.
"And hold your arms tight against your ears."
"The tighter the better, as far as I'm concerned."