“Everything in order,” commented the lieutenant, as he turned to the door.  “Resume your work, gentlemen.”

“Maybe you’re glad you hung your cap up just in time,” grinned Dave.

“Oh, bother the whole scheme!” grunted Dan “The idea of a fellow having to be a jumping-jack all the time!”

“A midshipman has to be a jumping-jack, I reckon,” replied Dave, “until he learns to be a man and to live up to discipline as only a man can.”

“See here, do you mean to say—­”

“Go on with your study of English, unless you’re sure you know all the fine points of the language,” interrupted Darrin.  “I know I don’t and I want time to study.”

Dan gazed steadily at his chum, but Darrin seemed too deeply absorbed in his work to be conscious of the gaze.

On the whole studies and recitations passed off rather pleasantly for both chums that day, though both could see that there were breakers ahead.

After supper a few minutes were allowed for recreation, which consisted mostly of an opportunity for the midshipmen to chat with each other.  Then came the call that sent them to their rooms to study for two solid hours.

“I wish the powers that be would let us sit up an hour later,” sighed Dave, looking up from his book in the middle of the study period.

“I’d rather they’d let us sleep an hour later in the morning,” grumbled Dan.

“But, really, it would be great to have chance to study an hour more each evening,” insisted Dave.

“Huh!”

“Yes; I begin to feel that we’re going to need more study time than we get, if we’re ever to pass.”

At 9.30 the release bell rang.  Dan closed his book with a joyful bang, Darrin closing his much more reluctantly.

“I’m going visiting,” declared Dalzell, starting toward the door.

Before he could reach the door, however, there sounded a slight knock and two midshipmen of the third class stepped in.

“Mister, what’s your name?” demanded one of the visitors.

“Dalzell, sir,” replied Dan, standing at attention.

“What’s yours, mister?

“Darrin, sir.”

“Stand on your head, mister.”

Dave obeyed with good-natured speed.

“That will do, mister.  Now, on your head, mister.”

Dan made a grimace, but obeyed.

Then the other visitor demanded: 

“Do either of you fourth class men intend to try to be ratey?”

“No, sir,” replied Darrin promptly.

“Do you, mister?” turning to Dalzell.

“No, sir.”

“Are you both a bit touge?” asked the youngster questioner.

“I hope not, sir,” replied Dave.

“Do you feel that way, mister?”—­looking at Dan.

“What way, sir?”

“Do you feel inclined to be touge, mister?”

“I’m willing to be anything that’s agreeable, and not too much work, sir,” replied Dan, grinning.