The latter turned to resume his walk, saying, “You’d better not pretend another time, Mister Midshipman, unless you want to get reported for disrespect. That would give you twenty-five demerits.”
“One moment, sir,” said Ralph, a determined look shooting out of his eyes. “You are correct in saying the regulations require a midshipman to salute an instructor; and the same regulation is just as mandatory in requiring the instructor to return the salute. I have saluted you twice and you returned neither salute. Further, I consider you hazed me when you directed me to salute you the second time, and you have insinuated I was not speaking the truth when I told you I was not pretending, that I didn’t know you. I shall report you to the commandant, sir; he is here to protect midshipmen as well as to direct them and punish them.”
“Oh, I say, don’t do that; I didn’t mean anything,” cried Professor Moehler with a troubled face; “here, I’ll salute three times——” and he made three grotesque gyrations with his hand, which he helplessly intended for military salutes. “Look here, mister, don’t report me; I’ll lose my job if you do!”
Mr. Moehler ran after Ralph crestfallen and begging not to be reported, but Ralph was very angry and refused to listen to him. He went direct to his room and made a written report of the incident which resulted in a severe reprimand and warning for the instructor. Mr. Moehler had been at the Academy but a few days when this happened. He had been told that midshipmen looked down upon civilian instructors and objected to saluting them, which was entirely a mistake, and he had announced that he would force them to salute him.
This incident created much talk in the little midshipmen world. After this Mr. Moehler received the most elaborate salutes from midshipmen. He even noticed that the superintendent and commandant apparently didn’t receive as deferential salutes from midshipmen as he did. This bothered him somewhat, but he concluded that naval customs were queer and kept his opinion to himself.
When the sections in mathematics were posted for May, Ralph led his class; this pleased him but he had expected it. While looking at the room number where his section was assigned to recite, he suddenly slapped his hands together and exclaimed: “By George, that’s too bad; I’ve got Moehler as my instructor next month.”
“I wish I had,” replied Creelton ruefully. “I’ve tumbled down to the second section. This is the first time I’ve been out of the first section in math since the plebe semi-an exam.”
“I’m sorry for that, old fellow,” said Ralph. “You haven’t boned much this last month; you’ll get back without any trouble if you try.”
In May Ralph’s class in mathematics had integral calculus. As he believed Mr. Moehler would look at him with no friendly eye he was doubly careful in the preparation of his lessons. As number one man in his class it was to be expected his mark would be excellent, but Moehler gave him high marks grudgingly. For the fourth recitation Ralph had to Mr. Moehler, he was directed to deduce a formula which was in the day’s lesson. Ralph, always delighting in original work, arrived at the formula by a different method than that laid down in the book. Mr. Moehler, busy listening to demonstrations of other midshipmen in the section, did not get to Ralph till near the end of the hour. Then he glanced at the blackboard where Ralph stood, and said, “That’s all wrong, Mr. Osborn.”
“This is right, sir,” replied Ralph. “It will only take me a minute to explain it, if you’ll listen——”