"Effective!" murmured Midshipman Jones. "Very!
"Superb!" voiced Mr. Hurlburt.
"Now, for the declamation, mister, of paragraph number two," commanded
Youngster Paulson.
In a deep voice, and with a ring that was meant to be convincing,
Dave read the paragraph:
"Since a school consists of pupils as well as of instructors, the brightest student minds may be said to make the life and history of a famous school. It has been so with our justly famous Gridley High School. Mr. Darrin, in the past, has aided in establishing many of the traditions of the famous school that claims him as her own son. The young man's heroism at Annapolis, under the most exacting conditions, will surprise no one who knows either Mr. Darrin or the splendid traditions that he helped establish among the youth of his home town. In the years to come we may look confidently forward to hearing the name of Darrin as one of the most famous among the newer generation of the United States Navy. David Darrin will always be a hero—because he cannot help it."
As Dave, his face flushing more hotly than ever, read through these lines he was conscious of the jeering gaze of the upper class men. He was interrupted, at times, by cries of fervid but mock admiration.
"I feel," announced Mr. Hurlburt, wiping his eyes with his handkerchief, "that I am indeed honored in being one of the humbler students at this great school on which our beloved comrade has shed the luster of his presence."
"It seems almost profane to look at such a young man, except through smoked glasses," protested Midshipman Heath.
"What's your name, mister?" demanded Midshipman Brooks.
"Darrin, sir," Dave answered, with the becoming meekness of a fourth class man.