DEFERRED PROMOTION
I
“Feeling merry and bright, and all that sort of thing, Raxworthy?” inquired Lieutenant-commander Maynebrace. “You don’t look the same fellow as the scarecrow we pulled out of the ditch yesterday.”
“Fresh as paint, sir,” replied the midshipman.
“Paint put over a wet substance causes blisters,” continued Buster’s Owner. “So perhaps that accounts for the bump on your figure-head being still in evidence.”
“It’s not painful, really,” Raxworthy hastened to assure his host and superior officer.
“That’s just as well, since I’m thinking of putting you on to a spot of work,” rejoined Maynebrace. “Hello, Cotterdell—let me introduce our new snottie, Raxworthy.”
The new arrival—one of Buster’s two lieutenants—nodded cheerfully across the table.
“My watch below when they picked you up yesterday,” observed Cotterdell. “You’ve had a pretty sticky time, I understand.”
It was breakfast-time in Buster’s wardroom. Raxworthy had been “kitted out” as far as the resources of the ship and the generosity of her officers permitted. He was wearing one of Sub-lieutenant Cartwright’s tropical uniforms, which bore badges of rank that the midshipman was not entitled to wear.