of the line, asked coaxingly:

"Mister, will you be condescending enough to pass down the line
and shake hands with each of us?"

Flushing modestly, but grinning, Dave did as asked--or directed.

"Mister," continued Midshipman Trotter impressively, "we find
ourselves very close to being 'spoons on' you."

For a youngster to be "spoons on" a new fourth classman means
for the former to treat the latter very nearly as though he were
a human being.

"Now, you green dandelions may go," suggested Mr. Trotter, turning
to the four "visiting" plebes.

As soon as this had come about Trotter turned to Dave Darrin.

"Mister, we humble representatives of the third class are going
to show you the only sign of appreciation within our power. We
are going to invite you to stroll down the deck and visit us in
our steerage. Your roommate is invited to join us."

Dave and Dan promptly accepted, with becoming appreciation. All
of the youngsters escorted Dave and Dan down the corridor to
Midshipman Trotter's room.

In the course of the next hour the youngsters told these new midshipmen
much about the life at the Naval Academy that it would otherwise