Now, where would the Navy be with a captain directing from the right or left flank." "Darry, you funker, you could play center as well as Wolgast does." "Farl, you're letting your prejudices spoil your eyesight." "Oh, I've no prejudice at all against Wolgast," Farley hastened to rejoin.

"Only I don't consider him our strongest man for captain.
Now, Wolgast-----" "Here!" called a laughing voice.

The door had opened, after a knock that Darrin had not noticed.
"Talking about me ?" inquired Midshipman Wolgast pleasantly, as he stopped in the middle of the room.
Midshipman Farley was nothing at all on the order of the backbiter.
Service in the Brigade of Midshipmen for three years had taught him the virtue of direct truth.
"Yes, Wolly," admitted Farley without embarrassment.

"I was criticizing your selection as captain of the eleven." "Nothing worse than that ?" laughed First Classman Wolgast.
"I was saying---no offense, Wolly---that I didn't consider you the right man to head the Navy eleven." Midshipman Wolgast stepped over to Farley, holding out his right hand.
"Shake, Farl! I'm glad to find a man of brains on the eleven.
I know well enough that I'm not the right captain.

But we couldn't make Darry accept the post." Midshipman Wolgast appeared anything but hurt by the direct candor with which he had been treated.