He had spoken to two cadets near him, calling them by name, and addressing them in the free and easy manner of an old friendship.
One of them was Bemis Perry, and he looked him squarely in the face as he said:
“By what right, sir, do you dare to address a gentleman?”
With this he walked away and met Clemmons as he came on deck.
Decatur Knowles, the other cadet to whom Breslin had spoken, simply cut him dead in silence, and walked away.
Just then, as Breslin, not in the least abashed, for he gave a low, defiant laugh, turned and glanced over the ship, Scott Clemmons came on deck and started toward him, but all saw with no joy at beholding him.
Breslin said as he saw him:
“Ah, Clemmons, old boy, how are you?”
He held out his hand, but without taking it, Clemmons responded in a low voice, quivering with anger, but which several overheard:
“Why have you dared come here and ask for me?”