"
"Your own arm will ache, too, then, Danny. You are obliged, as
of course you know, to return every salute."
"Hang it, yes! There's a pebble in every pickle dish, isn't there?"
"You're going to the graduation ball tonight, of course?"
"Oh, surely," nodded Dalzell. "After working as I've worked for
four years for the privilege, I'd be a fool to miss it. But I'll
sneak away early, after I've done a friend's duty by you and Belle.
No girls for me until I'm a captain in the Navy!"
The ball room was a scene of glory that night. Bright eyes shone
unwontedly, and many a heart fluttered. For Belle Meade was not
the only girl there who was betrothed to a midshipman. Any graduate
who chose might marry as soon as he pleased, but nearly all the
men of the class preferred to wait until they had put in their
two years at sea and had won their commissions as ensigns.
"This must be a night of unalloyed pleasure to you," murmured
Belle, as she and her young officer sweetheart sat out one dance.
"You can look back over a grand four years of life here."
"I don't know that I'd have the nerve to go through it all again,"
Darrin answered her honestly.
"You don't have to," Belle laughed happily. "You put in your
later boyhood here, and now your whole life of manhood is open
before you."
"I'll make the best use of that manhood that is possible for me,"
Dave replied solemnly.
"You must have formed some wonderful friendships here.
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