purpose if the
fellows would help the fellow to see that his sulkiness is his worst
barrier here. Then a good student and naturally honorable fellow would
develop into a capable Naval officer.

"That's the kind of talk for the padre" (chaplain), sniffed Farley.

"Glad you mentioned the padre," Dave retorted. "He's just the man to
settle the case. Farley, I'll go with you to the padre at any time. You
state one side of the case, and I'll state the other. If the padre
doesn't back me, then I'll retract all I've said in open class meeting,
and abide by whatever action the class may take."

"Oh, bother the padre!" snorted Farley angrily.

"All right, then," answered Dave good-humoredly. "If the class has a
matter of ethics and morals that it doesn't dare submit to an expert in
morals, then the class action is weak and wrong."

"There's no use talking to you, I'm afraid," sighed Farley ruefully.
"But if you--"

Here the call to study interrupted further discussion. Farley, shaking
his head gravely, left the room, followed by Page, who was shaking his
head with equal force.

"If you think you're all right, David, little giant, go ahead," remarked
Dalzell as he passed to his study desk.

"I think I'm right," Dave answered. "If not, I can be made to see the
light. I don't claim to know everything, but what I've done I did in an
effort to see and do the right thing."

When release from study came Dalzell expected to see several members of
the class drop in. To his astonishment the minutes sped by without any
knock at the door.

"You've gotten yourself in badly, Dave," Dan remarked at last. "The
fellows don't even think it worth while to come here and remonstrate
with you."

"For which I'm thankful," Darrin smiled. "Danny boy, I'm going to bed
without waiting for taps."

By morning the news of Dave's action at the class meeting was known
throughout the brigade. As he strolled about for a few minutes, after
breakfast, while Dan went back to his room to do some hurried study,
Darrin noted that many once friendly faces were turned away from him.

"Good morning, Hepson," was Dave's greeting as his friend went by.

"Good morning," muttered Hepson, and was gone.

"Good morning, Watson," said Dave to one of his own classmates.

"'Morning,' replied that midshipman briefly, and turned away. Joyce, Page
and several other second classmen were standing in a group when Dave
strolled in their direction.

"Good morning, fe