"Until he lands one?" questioned Dave.
"No; until one lands him. Dave, I wonder if it would be too terribly prying if we were to turn into Wiegard's too?"
"I don't see any reason why it should be," Darrin answered. "Mr.
Wiegard conducts a public confectioner's place. It's the approved
place for any midshipman to take a young lady for ice cream.
Do you feel that you'd like some ice cream?"
"No," Belle replied honestly. "But I'd like to get a closer look at Dan's latest."
So Dave led his sweetheart into Wiegard's. In order to get a seat at a table it was necessary to pass the table at which Dan and his handsome friend were seated. As Dalzell's back was toward the door he did not espy his friends until they were about to pass.
"Why, hello, Darry!" cried Dan, rising eagerly, though his cheeks flushed a bit. "How do you do, Miss Meade? Miss Henshaw, may I present my friends? Miss Meade and Mr. Darrin."
The introduction was pleasantly acknowledged all around. Miss
Henshaw proved wholly well-bred and at ease.
"Won't you join us here?" asked Dalzell, trying hard to conceal the fact that he didn't want any third and fourth parties.
"I know you'll excuse us," answered Dave, bowing, "and I feel certain that I am running counter to Miss Meade's wishes. But I have so little opportunity to talk to her that I'm going to beg you to excuse us. I'm going to be selfish and entice Miss Meade away to the furthest corner."
That other table was so far away that Dave and Belle could converse in low tones without the least danger of being overheard. There were, at that time, no other patrons in the place.