This Darrin did, in a courteous answer, as briefly as he could properly make it. He admitted knocking Ardmore down, but stated that he did it in resenting an insult offered by Ardmore to a young lady under his (Darrin's) escort at the time.
This letter he showed Belle.
"It is the first step, on my side in the matter," he explained with a smile.
"I should think the Secretary of the Navy ought to be satisfied with your answer and drop it at once," replied Belle.
"He may."
"But you think he won't?"
"It is likely, Belle, that there will be a court of inquiry at least."
"Oh, dear!" cried Belle, a few tears gleaming in her eyes now. "Why should so much fuss be made over the matter?"
"Because I am being trained to be an officer in the Navy. An officer must be a gentleman as well. Any charge affecting a Naval officer's honor or courtesy must be investigated, in order that the government may know whether the accused is fit to hold an officer's commission. The government wouldn't be dealing justly with the people if such standards were not observed."
"And I am the cause of all this trouble for you?" cried Belle.