"Fact is," Joyce went on, "I'm so desperate for a little change that I don't believe I'd funk at taking French over the Academy wall. What do you two say?"
"That dog won't bark," Dave retorted.
"Oh, you greaser!" Joyce shied at him.
"Well, I am greasing to the extent that I won't imperil my chances of keeping in the service by taking any French leave," Darrin replied steadily. "So, Joyce, I'm afraid a trip to town to-night is out of the question, unless you can think up some plan to get by the O.C."
"How are you on Frenching the wall, Danny boy?" queried Joyce.
"Just about as big a muff as Darry," Dan returned dryly.
Joyce remained for some moments in deep meditation. He wanted to go into Annapolis, and he didn't care about going on a lonesome expedition. The more he thought the better Joyce realized how hard it was to frame a request that would get past the O.C.
"I have it," spoke up Dalzell at last. "We'll ask leave to run up to
Baltimore to consult an oculist."
"You idiot!" cried Joyce impatiently. None of us need spectacles."
"Besides, there's no train running to Baltimore as late as this," added Dave.