Chapter 32, "Willie's Leave" Summary

Willie flies to New York to break up with May in person. He will never abandon his societal goals to marry her, and he wants to tell her before the court-martial changes his life. Willie dreams about the court-martial. He sees himself as an actor in a grand drama, explaining what really happened to President Roosevelt. Captain White, a handsome, regular Navy lieutenant, obviously a trouble shooter, commands the Caine. The officers perform their duties and speak cautiously. White is arid, cool, and efficient, acting as if Maryk's relief of Queeg never happened. He never thought the Caine mutiny would become just another legal problem. A little man in a little office conducts the investigation. Willie's stories of Queeg's insanity and incompetence sound lame. When he reads the final recommendation that he be court-martialed for mutiny, he...