"
But here was Dan coming back amid more applause, his graduation
number high enough to make it practically certain that he would
be a rear admiral one of these days when he had passed the middle
stage of life in the service.
One by one the other diplomas were given out, each accompanied
by some kindly message from the Secretary of the Navy, which,
if remembered and observed, would be of great value to the graduate
at some time in the future.
The graduating exercises did not last long. To devote too much
time to them would be to increase the tension.
Later in the day the graduated midshipmen again appeared. They
were wearing their new coats now, several inches longer in the
tail, and denoting them as real officers in the Navy. A non-graduate
midshipman must salute one of these graduates whenever they meet.
In their room, to be occupied but one night more, Dave and Dan
finished dressing in their new uniforms at the same moment.
"Shake, Danny boy!" cried Dave Darrin, holding out his hand.
"How does it seem, at last, to know that you're really an officer
in the Navy?"
"Great!" gulped Dalzell. "And I don't mind admitting that, during
the last four years, I've had my doubts many a time that this great
day would ever come for we. But get your cap's and let's hustle
outside."
"Why this unseemly rush, Danny?"
"I want to round up a lot of under classmen and make them tire
their arms out saluting me.
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