"His commission. Dan, if he keeps away from too interesting girls, will have some years in which to fit himself splendidly in his profession. By that time he'll be all the better equipped for taking care of a wife."
"I wonder," pondered Belle, "what kind of wife Dan will finally choose."
"He won't have anything to do with the choosing," laughed Darrin. "One of these days some woman will choose him, and then Dan will be anchored for life. It is even very likely that he'll imagine that he selected his wife from among womankind, but he won't have much to say about it."
"You seem to think Dan is only half witted," Belle remarked.
"Only where women are concerned, Belle. In everything else he's a most capable young American. He's going to be a fine Naval officer."
In another hour Belle had changed her mind. She had seen all of the Academy grounds that she cared about for a while, and now proposed that they slip out through the Maryland Avenue gate for a walk through the shaded, sweet scented streets of Annapolis. As Darrin had town liberty the plan pleased him.
Strolling slowly the young people at last neared State Circle.
"I thought midshipmen didn't tell fibs," suddenly remarked Belle.
"They're not supposed to," Dave replied.
"But you said Dan was at the ball game."