Most of us are too busy over our studies as a rule." "Then you prefer books to the society of girls ?" "It isn't that," replied Dan, growing somewhat red under Miss Atterly's amused scrutiny.

"The fact is that a fellow comes here to the Naval Academy for the purpose of becoming an officer in the Navy." "To be sure." "And, unless the average fellow hugs his books tightly he doesn't have any show to get through and become an officer.

There are some fellows, of course, to whom the studies come easily.

With most of us it's a terrible grind.

Even with the grind about forty per cent.