"But I understand, Cathy, that sometimes a Naval officer has a year or two of shore duty."
"If that happened," laughed the girl, "I could take a trip to Europe couldn't I? And the social position of a Naval officer isn't a bad one. His wife enjoys the same social position, you know, mamma."
"Yet why Mr. Dalzell, if you really don't care anything about him?"
"Because he's so simple, mamma. He would be dreadfully easy to manage!"
The four young people looking for the Atterlys had unavoidably heard every word. They halted, Dan violently red in the face. Then Laura, with quick tact, wheeled about and led the way back to the ball room floor.
"Better luck next time, Dan," whispered Belle, gripping Dalzell's arm.
"Don't you think twice is enough for a simpleton like me?" blurted
Midshipman Dan.
CHAPTER XVI
THE DAY OF MANY DOUBTS
Busy days followed, days which, for some of the first classmen, were filled with a curious discontent.