Then Lieutenant Stapleton, in white gloves and wearing his sword, stepped into the room, followed by a midshipman, also white-gloved.
Lieutenant Stapleton was the officer in charge, the young man the midshipman in charge of the floor.
"Good morning, gentlemen," said the Lieutenant pleasantly, as both midshipmen promptly rose to their feet and stood at attention. Dave and Dan remained standing at attention while the lieutenant stepped quickly about the room, taking in everything with a practiced glance.
"Everything in order," commented the lieutenant, as he turned to the door. "Resume your work, gentlemen."
"Maybe you're glad you hung your cap up just in time," grinned
Dave.
"Oh, bother the whole scheme!" grunted Dan "The idea of a fellow having to be a jumping-jack all the time!"
"A midshipman has to be a jumping-jack, I reckon," replied Dave, "until he learns to be a man and to live up to discipline as only a man can."
"See here, do you mean to say—"
"Go on with your study of English, unless you're sure you know all the fine points of the language," interrupted Darrin. "I know I don't and I want time to study."
Dan gazed steadily at his chum, but Darrin seemed too deeply absorbed in his work to be conscious of the gaze.