"The Secretary will not be at his office until one o'clock this
afternoon," announced Lieutenant Jack, looking up from the order. "We
are directed to report at that hour."
"What shall we do until then?" demanded Eph, blankly, when the messenger
had departed.
"Why, since we're still in the service," laughed Jack, "and as I've heard
that the Arlington is much patronized by Navy officers, suppose we treat
ourselves to a carriage, go to the Arlington and register. That will be
the last grand feeling we'll get out of this."
His comrades rather merrily agreed. So, a few minutes later, the trio
marched through the lobby of the Arlington to the desk. Jack picked up
a pen, and registered:
"John Benson, U.S.N."
Hal and Eph followed suit. Then they were led to their connecting rooms.
"We'll have luncheon at half-past eleven," smiled Lieutenant Jack, as
he dropped into an easy chair. "In the service one never knows when
his next meal is coming."
"Good!" chuckled Hal, though there was a sad ring to his tone. "Keep up
as long as you can, old fellow, the fiction that we're still in the
naval service.
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