Your most dependable friends will be on hand and under arms for
you. Back 'em up!"

At least half of the class was gathered when the chums entered. Darrin
looked about him, then took a seat. He watched the door until he saw
Midshipman Jetson enter.

Rap, rap, rap! went the gavel at last.

"Gentlemen," announced the president, "there is some unfinished business
before the meeting. At the last class meeting a motion was made and
seconded that Midshipman Jetson be sent to Coventry. Any remarks that may
be offered on that resolution will be in order now."

Dave Darrin was on his feet in an instant. Three or four men hissed, but
Dave appeared not to notice.

"Mr. President," Dave began in a slow, steady voice, "this motion more
closely affects Mr. Jetson than it does any other member of the class. I
understand that Mr. Jetson has a few remarks to make."

There was a murmur that ran around the room as Jetson rose to his feet,
claiming the chair's recognition.

"Mr. President and gentlemen," began Jetson, his face pale and his words
coming with effort, "I am not going to discuss the question of whether
the class will or will not be justified in sending me to Coventry. I have
a duty to perform to-night, and I assure you that it comes hard, for my
temper and pride have been beyond my control for a long time. I wish to
make a most earnest apology for remarks of mine that were construed as
being insulting to the members of the brigade. I further desire to make
any statement, or any admission that will most quickly banish any sense
of wrong coming from me. In doing so, I am moved to this proper course by
my friend, Mr. Darrin!"

CHAPTER XXII

THE BIRTH OF A GENTLEMAN

It wasn't a real bombshell that hit the class, of course, but the effect
was almost as startling. First, there were murmurs, then a hubbub of
voices, last of all a rousing cheer.

In the midst of the excitement Midshipman Farley leaped to his feet.

"Mr. President!" he bellowed.

But his voice did not carry ten feet from where he stood.

"Mr. President!" he yelled, louder than ever before.

Still the hubbub continued. Farley leaped to the seat of his chair,
turning and waving both arms frantically. Any midshipman who had glanced
toward the chair would have discovered that the occupant of the class
chair was rapping hard with his gavel, though no sound of it was heard
above the tumult.

Presently, however, Farley's antics produced their eff