"No, sir; at any rate, I believe that the voice was disguised."
"The young men have discovered a new one, and have tried it on you, Mr. Hall."
"I realize that, sir," replied the lieutenant, in a voice of chagrin.
It was now the time of annual examinations, of daily dress parade and the incoming of the first of the hosts of visitors who would be on hand during graduation week.
Of the annual examinations the poor fourth class men thought they had more than their share. Of the dress parades they had their full share. In the graduating exercises they took no part; they were not even present.
"What does a mere fourth class man know about the Navy, anyway?" was the way Midshipman Trotter asked the question.
Twenty-two of the fourth class men stumbled in their annual examinations. These went home promptly. They would not return again, unless their Congressmen reappointed them for another try. In case that happened to any of the young men they would return to take up life with the new fourth class, and would henceforth be known as "bilgers."
A man who has been dropped is a "bilger," whether he comes back or not. A "bilger" is further described as "one who used to be in the game, and is now only on the outside looking in."
Dave Darrin's standing for the year was two-eighty-seven. Dan's was two-eighty-two. Farley and Page came close to that figure.
None of these young men were in the "savvy" section, but all had passed with sufficient credit for the first year.