Chapter 6, "Dr. Keith's Letter" Summary

Ensign Willie Keith checks into the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. In his suitcase he has two mementos of his last hours in New York - a phonograph record of May's singing and a letter from his father. He picks up his father's letter, even though he promised his dad he would not to open it until aboard the Caine. Ensign Keefer interrupts to invite him to a party at the Junior Officer's Club. Willie is insulted by being ordered to the Caine. Keggs, two hundred below him in class rank, received identical duty. Ensign Keefer gets them assigned to the hospital ship Mercy for their voyage to Honolulu. Willie plays the piano and Keefer chases nurses. The two ensigns go to Pearl Harbor Navy Base. Keefer lands at the bachelor officers' quarters (BOQ...