“Osborn, sir.”
This was told with great glee to third classmen and thereafter Mr. Fellows was dubbed “Loud Stopping,” though he probably never knew it. Another time in telling some apparently deeply interested midshipmen of a wonderful escape he had from drowning, he said, “And then I sankly gent into the water——” and he was surprised and perplexed at the spontaneous burst of laughter that greeted his remark. On another occasion he used the expression, “a paint of coat,” meaning to say of course “a coat of paint.” He was a kind-hearted man, pompous in manner and ordinarily altogether too lenient with the midshipmen. Many times after he had made some report against one, the delinquent would talk earnestly to “Loud Stopping” about it, and the latter would erase the report. Then at other times, Mr. Fellows would feel he had been altogether too easy with the young gentlemen and he would become most unexpectedly, tremendously severe. The midshipmen liked him but they constantly laughed at him.
The third class year was passing uneventfully for Ralph. It was very satisfactory to him because he was so successful in his studies. There was now additional zest in his work because he was aiming to, and stood good chance of standing first in his class. His most formidable competitors were his most intimate friends, Himski, Bollup and Creelton, so the rivalry was a very friendly one. Of all his classmates Ralph liked the jovial, great-hearted Himski most. He always kept on good terms with Creelton but was more drawn to the others.
As time went on Ralph thought less and less of his hidden enemy. Several times during the months that passed some third classman reported the theft of money, or of some valuable article. On each occasion Ralph always insisted on having his room searched, “for my own protection,” he explained to Bollup and Himski when they remonstrated with him, but nothing was ever found. It is likely that consciousness of a secret enemy made Ralph particularly careful about obeying the regulations. He had the feeling he was watched and that any grave misdemeanor would become known to the authorities.
One Saturday in April while walking alone through the grounds he passed a tall, pimply-faced, round-shouldered man about twenty-seven years old, dressed in civilian’s clothes. Ralph paid no particular attention to him until the man suddenly stopped, and in a rasping, snarling voice said: “Why don’t you salute me?”
“I didn’t know you were entitled to a salute sir,” Ralph said. “I never saw you before and will be glad to salute you if you are entitled to a salute,” and Ralph saluted as he spoke.
“I am entitled to a salute, and it’s your business to know me. I’m Professor Moehler, instructor in mathematics. You midshipmen make a point of never knowing civilian instructors; I’ve looked that point up; you’re required to salute me and you’d better not pretend another time not to know me.”
“I haven’t pretended, sir; I didn’t know you. I had no reason to think you were an instructor.”
“I hear what you say but I have my own ideas on that subject. Salute me again.”
Ralph’s face got red; he hesitated, and then slowly executed a proper naval salute, watching the professor narrowly.