"But it would be a double heartbreak for me, if I had to leave." "Why ?" "On account of the future I've planned for you, Belle." "Oh, you silly boy, then!" Belle answered, smiling into his eyes.

"I believe I have half committed myself to the idea of marrying you when you've made your place in life.

But it was Dave Darrin to whom I gave that half promise--not a uniform of any sort.

Dave, if anything ever happens that you have to quit here, don't imagine that it's going to make a particle of difference in our understanding." "You're the real kind of sweetheart, Belle!" murmured Dave, gazing admiringly at her flushed face.
"Did you ever suspect that I wasn't ?" asked Miss Meade demurely.
"Never!" declared Midshipman Darrin devoutly.

"Nevertheless, it's fine to be reassured once in a while." "What a great fellow Dan is!" exclaimed Belle a few minutes later.