"What are you doing these days?" McCrea wanted to know. "Anything
besides testing new boats at Dunhaven?"
"You must greet them as comrades, McCrea," continued Lieutenant Ulwin.
"What? Cadets at Annapolis?"
In this case McCrea wondered at their being there, for cadets would be
considered forward who visited an officers' club.
"Benson is a lieutenant, his friends ensigns," replied Ulwin.
"Come, come!" laughed McCrea. "I'm easy--these boys know that. But
don't tell me--"
"Fact, though," replied Ulwin. "They hold special appointments, for
some special duty or other. I'm here, at the direction of the Navy
Department, to introduce these young brother officers of ours, and to
procure ten-day cards for them."
By this time the news had spread. A score of officers, young or
middle-aged, were crowding about. Ulwin had his hands full introducing
the submarine boys. Yet they stood the ordeal well. The habit of
command, based on discipline, had given these boys plenty of poise and
self-possession. Nor were any attempts made, at that time, to have any
good-humored fun with them. Half a dozen officers representing foreign
navies were present.
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