And then the amazement returned to the three friends. “What can have happened to Os?” wondered Himski in deep thoughtfulness. “He’s as happy as if he had been reinstated.”
“It’s something big,” remarked Bollup, “and we couldn’t get him to say a word about it; but I’m feeling much better, aren’t you, Himski?”
“You bet I am, and I’ve a queer happy feeling that we’re going to have old Os back with us, and that he knows it.”
CHAPTER XXVII
Himski and Company are Joyfully Astonished
Nine weeks had passed since the occurrence of the episode related in the [last chapter]. That graduation day which had made Ralph Osborn’s classmates first classmen, and had seen himself dismissed from the Naval Academy was now a thing long passed and was of no further interest. It is the uncertainty of the immediate future that dominates our thoughts and actions, not the pleasant recollections of a recent past. In moments of relaxation we reminisce and talk of those grand old days of the beautiful long ago, not so much of what happened six months ago. And Bollup and I, and you and Himski, all veteran officers, laugh and talk over those exciting incidents of our midshipman days. They always remain fresh in memory, and the beautiful friendships there formed grow more precious each year.
But it is not only older officers that reminisce; midshipmen as well are great at that, only their “long ago” commences when they were fourth classmen.
“Way back in ninety ——, when I was a youngster,” commenced Bollup, and then he was surprised at an amused laugh from Himski. “What’s the matter, Himski?” he asked his comrade.
“Oh, I was laughing at that ‘way back’ of yours, seeing it was but two years ago when you were on your youngster cruise. But go on, Bol, spin us your yarn; what happened in that ‘way back’ time of only two years ago?”
“Oh, nothing special, but I was just thinking of what good times we used to have with good old Os; and isn’t it strange we never hear from him? He was so happy that last time we saw him, one could not have believed he had just been dismissed. Have you any idea what his address is, Himski?”