of crazy or calculating grandstand play Darrin is
trying to make just now?" pondered Midshipman Jetson, when informed of
Dave's action at the meeting.

CHAPTER XX

"DON'T BE A FOOL, DARRY!"

A week went by without another class meeting.

For that reason Midshipman Jetson was still nominally in good fellowship.

The delay in action was by no means due to lack of class interest. The
class seethed with interest in the affair, but with many of the
midshipmen there was a belief that here was a case where slow and
thoughtful consideration would be best for all concerned.

Darry was too good a fellow, and far too popular to be forced out of
fellowship if it didn't have to be done to preserve the present feeling
of ruffled class dignity.

Knowing that the matter hadn't been dropped, the first and third classes
waited--in curiosity. The fourth class really had no standing in such
weighty matters of the internal discipline of the brigade.

Every time that Dave Darrin passed Jetson he spoke pleasantly to the
latter. The sulky one, however, did not respond.

"Some day, Darry, you'll tumble that you've been played for a fool,"
grumbled Farley.

"Then I'll have the satisfaction, won't I, of knowing that it's all my
own fault?" smiled Dave Darrin.

"Yes; but I hate to see you go to pieces for a fellow like Jetson."

The following Saturday afternoon Darrin came in from a brisk walk, to
find Dan poring over his books at the study desk.

"Letter there for you," said Dan, without looking up, as Dave, after
glancing into the room, had turned with the intention of calling on
Farley and Page.

"Thank you." Darrin crossed the room, picking up the letter. "From
Belle," he remarked. "The second from her this week, and I haven't
written her. Answering letters should be part of a man's honor, so
instead of cruising about on the deck, I reckon I'd better sit down and
write Belle."

"What are you going to tell her?" asked Dan quietly, without looking up.

"Hang it all!" grumbled Dave. "This is where the situation begins to be
tough. Of course you understand how things are, Danny boy, and you are
aware that I have asked Belle to take upon herself the right to be
equally interested with me in my career."

"It is tough," assented Dan, with ready sympathy, and laying aside his
book for the moment. "If my memory serves, Belle asked particularly,
when she was here, that you let her know how the Jetson row turned out."

"Yes