Dan examined the sleeve of his jacket critically. Having found a clean place he approached the captain and began rubbing his own sleeve over the soiled spot on the sleeve of the commanding officer. This done he went at the left side of the blouse where there was a larger blotch of white. In a few moments he had so thoroughly cleaned the blue blouse, by rubbing it violently with the goods of his jacket, that all traces of the white paint had disappeared.
Dan stepped back, saluting respectfully.
“Why, you have taken it all off, but you will have the trouble of cleaning your own jacket.”
“I shall have to do that anyway, sir.”
“Thank you, my lad.”
The captain saluted and passed on.
“That boy is as graceful and self-possessed as if he had spent years in the service. I must keep my eye on him. I predict that he will be doing something worth while some of these days.”
Dan’s face was flushed. He was pleased with himself. Sam glanced over at him and winked gravely.
“I wish I knew how to do things the way you do,” he said. “Somehow my feet and hands don’t fit the rest of my anatomy. I’m a thickhead and a landlubber, all in one.”
“You are all right, if you would only think so,” replied Dan.