‘Risky job, my boy, risky,’ cried the Torpedo Lieutenant from the depth of his arm-chair. ‘Mustn’t be too bold and rash, you know.’
‘Oh, shut up, Torps, and don’t gass so much. The blessed “fish” ran straight, and that’s all you need worry about. When I feel particularly suicidal I’ll take you out with me and do the job in style. We’ll all drown together and go down to posterity in the guise of saints then, a disguise by the way of a most efficient order in your case.’
‘Your pardon, Lord. I shall refuse to come.’
‘Thank God for that.’
‘Then I shall most certainly insist on coming next trip. I shall——’
‘How far off were they when you first saw them?’ broke in a voice from the other end of the ward room.
‘Oh, about four miles. I saw the smoke at first and hustled off in their direction.’
‘You must have had a pretty long fug afterwards, didn’t you?’
‘It was a bit mouldy sitting on the bottom, but we managed to turn up smiling.’
The talk drifted out and turned to other topics. ‘178’ was due in to-morrow, and her patrol and herself and her officers were also discussed with much freedom. Later the ward room was closed, and the Parentis went to sleep, but still with one eye open, and watchful to guard the charges that lay alongside her.