"I am, sir."
"Then I suppose it goes—it has to," assented Midshipman Edgerton moodily. "But of all the irrational—"
"Just what I said, sir," nodded Page.
"I shall be ready, sir, when the fifteen minutes are up," continued Dave. "But I am certain that I shall need all the time until then for getting myself into first-class condition."
"Darry is a fool—and a wonder!" ejaculated Edgerton under his breath, as he walked away.
"I'm sorry, Darry," murmured Farley mournfully, "but—well, beat your way to it!"
"I intend to," retorted Dave doggedly.
Rubbed down by his seconds, Dave drew on his blouse, without a shirt.
Quitting the others, Dave walked briskly back and forth. At last he broke into a jog-trot.
At last he halted, inflating and emptying his lungs with vigorous breathing.