The officers of the Army and Navy present were all in citizen
dress. They looked like a lot of cheerful, prosperous business men.
"Hullo, Ulwin, what are you doing with my friends from Dunhaven?"
eagerly called one young man, rising hastily and coming forward. "Benson,
I'm glad to see you. And you, Hastings. And you, Somers."
"Didn't know you knew the young gentlemen, McCrea," broke in Ulwin.
"Don't know them? When they made me the laughing-stock of every
mess-room crowd in the Navy for months!" retorted McCrea.
Jack, Hal and Eph were shaking hands with the speaker with a good deal
of pleasure.
It was Lieutenant McCrea, one-time watch officer on the battleship
"Luzon." At one time McCrea had doubted that submarine boats were,
in all respects, as wonderful craft as was claimed. The submarine
boys had paid him back in most laughable fashion. Lieutenant McCrea,
at one time, had felt himself much aggrieved over the wholesome teasing
of his brother officers in consequence; but he had long since learned
to accept the whole incident as a good and deserved joke.
Now, McCrea stood wringing the hands of the boys as though he had found
long-lost friends.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194