now in the first conduct grade.
So was Dan. That gave to both considerable in the way of privileges.
On Saturdays and Sundays, for instance, they were at liberty
to accept invitations to call on or dine at the houses of officers
and their families. This privilege, while pleasant to possess,
amounted to little, for Dave and Dan had been too busy over their
studies to have any opportunity to attract social notice.

As to dancing, fourth class men do not, by tradition, attend any
of the midshipmen's hops, which are reserved for upper class men.

Neither is a plebe midshipman expected to be seen escorting young
ladies. In fact, the plebe has no social pleasures within the
academy walls.

Outside, however, it is different. If the fourth class men are
acquainted with young ladies in the town of Annapolis they may
visit them on Saturday afternoons when so invited.

Here, again, Dave and Dan found no delight. For they became acquainted
with none of the girls of Annapolis.

They could, however, on Saturday afternoon secure permission to
go into the town. Any change outside of the Academy walls now
became welcome, though our young midshipmen had no other form
of pleasure than merely to stroll through the streets of the town
and occasionally regale themselves with a dish of ice-cream or
a glass of soda at Wiegard's.

Brimmer, one Saturday afternoon, when strolling through the town,
discovered a new little shop on Main Street.

This was a little store that had just been fitted up. Some fruit
was displayed for sale, though the main business of the place
appeared to be the dispensing of various temperance drinks.

On the sign over the door the proprietor's first name was given
as "Tony." The second name was an unpronounceable Greek one.

Being thirsty Brimmer stepped inside.

"Are you Tony?" he asked of the swarthy young man behind the counter.

"Yes, sare," grinned Tony. "What you drink?"

Brimmer looked over the stock, selected a bottle of ginger ale
and paid for it.

"Business good?" asked the midshipman.

"No, sare; ver' bad," replied Tony sadly.

"Oh, well, it will pick up by-and-by."

"I hope so, sare. But when I come here I think maybe the midsheepmen
come see me offen. You, sare, first midsheepman who came here."

"You have a neat little place," continued Brimmer. "And this
ginger ale," holding up his glass, "is good. You'll have trade
enough by-and-by."

"You tell other midsheepmen they