"Tell me, young man," she said to this Ensign, going directly to the point, "do you see any reason why my boy Oswald should not go to that place where they make all the Ensigns?"
"Yes," said the officer firmly, "I do."
"Oh, you do," snapped Mother angrily, "and pray tell me what that reason might be?"
"Your son Oswald," replied the Ensign laconically.
"What!" exclaimed Mother, "you mean to say that my Oswald is not good enough to go to your silly old school?"
"No," replied the Ensign, weakening pitifully before the withering fury of an aroused mother, "but you see, my dear madam, he has not a first class rating."
"Fiddlesticks!" said Mother.
"Crossed anchors," replied the Ensign.
"I didn't mean that," continued Mother, "I think the whole thing is very mysterious and silly, and I'm not going to let it stop here. You can trust me, Oswald," she went on soothingly. "I am going to see the Commander of the station myself. I am going this very instant."
"But, Mother," I cried in desperation, tossing all consequences to the wind, "the 'skipper' isn't on the station to-day. He got a 43-hour liberty. I saw him check out of the gate myself."