Something about the glossy metal fascinated him.
Once or twice Pen put out his hand to touch the rod, but as quickly reconsidered and drew back his hand.
At last, however, the temptation proved too strong.

He slid one hand along the rail.
"Here, sir, don't handle that!" rasped in the voice of Whittam.
Pennington drew back his hand, a flush mounting to his face.
"The fellow has no right to talk to a midshipman in that fashion!" quivered Pennington to himself.

"But it was the fault of that low-minded greaser Darrin, anyway.

Darrin saw me, and he glanced swiftly at the chief electrician to draw attention to me." It is only just to Pennington to state that he actually believed he had seen Dave do this.

Darrin, however, was not guilty of the act.