“You’ll make a good officer some day, Roberts,” said the lieutenant, and Bob started, for he did not know he was so near.
“Thank you, sir—for the compliment,” said Bob.
“But at present, my lad, you do imitate the bantam cock to such an extent that it irritates grown men.”
“Do I, sir?” said Bob.
“You do indeed, my lad,” said the lieutenant kindly.
“But I don’t want to, sir, for nothing worries me more than to see Ensign Long coming all that strut and show off.”
“Well, we won’t quarrel about it, Roberts,” said Lieutenant Johnson kindly. “You’ll grow out of it in time. As it is, I’m captain for a few days, and you are my first lieutenant. So first lieutenant,” he continued, clapping the lad on the shoulder, “come down and breakfast with me in the cabin, and we’ll talk matters over.”
Bob flushed with pleasure, and if the lieutenant had asked him to jump overboard just then, or stand on his head on the main truck, Bob would have tried to oblige him.
As it was, however, he followed his officer into the cabin, and made a hearty breakfast.
“I tell you what,” said the lieutenant, who was a very quiet stern young officer—and he stopped short.