I shall know, myself, that I'm only a poor, dub sort of Naval officer.

I tell you, Danny, I don't know enough to be a good Naval officer." "Then that's a reflection on your senior officers who have had your training on hand," grinned Dalzell.

"If you talk in the same vein after you've gotten your diploma, it will amount to a criticism of the intelligence of your superior officers.

And that's something that's wisely forbidden by the regulations." Dan picked up a text-book and opened it, as though he believed that he had triumphantly closed the discussion.

Midshipman Darrin, however, was not to be so easily silenced.
"Then, if you're not fitted to be a Naval officer," blurted Dalzell, "what on earth can be said of me ?" "You may not stand quite as high as I do, on mere markings," Dave assented.