Sam’s face wore a smile. It was all highly amusing to him, but when the quartermaster finally conducted them to another room, where several uniforms were laid out on a table, the boy began to feel a keener interest.
The petty officer glanced over the display of clothes, then picking out two suits, handed them to the lads.
“Put these on,” he said, “then report to me.”
It did not take the boys long to get into their new white uniforms.
“I wish I had a looking glass,” grumbled Sam.
“What for? I can tell you how you look.”
“How do I look?”
“Well, barring the freckles, you look as if you might be a jackie some day. But don’t stand there with your shoulders slouched forward. Stand up and act as if you were proud of the uniform you are wearing. Here, we haven’t put on our leggins yet.”
“Leggins? Do we wear those things?”
“Yes. Otherwise we shall be dressed just like the sailors on the war ships.”