"How many German submarines are there in the Mediterranean?" I asked.
"About thirty-five," he said.
Recalling my geography, it seemed we had a pretty good chance of being seen.
"Are you a submarine officer?" I asked.
He told me that he was, and added that he would not change his work for any other branch of the service. I told him that I had always understood submarine service was particularly unpleasant and trying on the nerves.
"Oh, no. On the contrary, it is very restful," he said, "and extremely interesting and great sport."
"How old are you?" I asked.
He was thirty-two and unmarried.
"Perhaps that accounts for it," I said.
"Perhaps," he agreed. "I don't know. But it is the sporting interest that makes the submarine service so fine."