the room.

An instant after the door had closed the lately scared youngsters
expressed themselves by a broad grin, which deepened to a very
decided chuckle as Mr. Bender's footsteps died away.

"Mister," cried Midshipman Trotter, favoring Darrin with a glance
of frank friendliness, "do you know that you saved us from frapping
the pap hard?"

"And that perhaps you've saved us from bilging?" added Midshipman
Hayes.

"I'm such a greenhorn about the Navy, sir, that I am afraid I
don't follow you in the least, sir," Darrin replied quietly.

Then they explained to him that the "pap" is the conduct report,
and that "to frap" is to hit. To "frap the pap" means to "get
stuck on" the conduct report for a breach of discipline. A "bilger"
is one who is dropped from the service, or who is turned back
to the class below.

"I judged that there was some trouble coming sir," Dave confessed,
"and I did the best that I could. It was good luck on my part that
I was able to be of service to you."

"Good luck, eh?" retorted Midshipman Trotter. "Third class men,
fall in!"

As the "youngsters" lined up Mr. Trotter, standing at the right