ping aside to allow the other to enter a smallish square apartment
lit by a skylight overhead and hazy with tobacco smoke. A few padded
settees and arm-chairs and a piano of venerable aspect, together with a
table covered by magazines and papers, comprised the furniture;
half-a-dozen coloured prints and a baize-covered notice board completed
the adornment of the walls. Through a doorway beyond came the hum of
conversation and clatter of knives and forks, where, in the Wardroom,
lunch had already commenced. About half-a-dozen members of the Mess,
however, still occupied the smoking-room; the nearest to the door, a
short, slightly built Staff Surgeon, in the act of shaking angostura
bitters into a glass which a steward proffered on a tray, turned his head
as the newcomers entered.

"Bunje!" he cried, and put the bitters down. "Bunje! my son, Bunje! Oh,
frabjous day, Calloo, Callay! My arms enfold ye...." He enveloped the
India-rubber Man in a bear-like embrace. "Behold the prodigal returning!
Steward, bring hither a fatted calf and the swizzle-stick. Put a cherry
in it and a slice of lemon and eke crushed ice. My dear life!" He held
the India-rubber Man at an arm's length. "Bunje, these are moments when
strong men sob like little children. But let me introduce you."

The occupants of the smoking-room, grinning, came forward to greet the
new messmate. The Staff Surgeon named them in turn.

"This is the P.M.O. He's plus two at golf. I mention that in case he
offers to take you ashore and play you for half-a-crown. P.M.O., this is
Standish, a wounded hero and a friend of my care-free youth." The
speaker rolled his r's, thrust his hand into the bosom of his
monkey-jacket and struck a histrionic attitude.

"Seated on the settee," he resumed, "caressing an overfed bull terrier,
we have Tweedledee, likewise overfed. Get up and say how d'you do to the
gentleman, Tweedledee."

A short, chubby-faced Lieutenant rose and shook hands rather shyly.

"Now," pursued the Doctor, "casting our eyes round the room at random we
see the Pilot--otherwise known as the 'Merry Wrecker.' The portly
gentleman in clerical garb helping himself to a cigarette out of someone
else's tin--His Eminence the Padre. The Captain of Marines you see
consuming gin and bitters: title of picture, 'Celebrities and their
Hobbies.' This is the Engineer Commander. He is considerably senior to
me and I therefore refrain from being witty at his