Though in this instance I am far from wondering at his desire to be." It was the first hop after the semi-annual exams.

A host of fourth classmen and some from the upper classes had been dropped immediately after the examinations, but Dave and Dan and all their more intimate friends in the brigade had pulled through.

Darrin and Dalzell had come out of the ordeal with the highest markings they had yet achieved at the Naval Academy.
Mrs.Meade had come down to Annapolis to chaperon Belle and Laura, but this evening Mrs.Meade was chatting with a middle-aged Naval officer and so did not see much of the young people.
As the music struck up, Farley and Page claimed consideration, Dave and Dan were left without partners.
"Nothing more doing for two dances, David, little giant," murmured Midshipman Dalzell.

"Suppose we slip into our overcoats and walk around outside." "I'd rather," assented Darrin.

"It's dull in here when a fellow isn't dancing." It was a night of unusually light attendance on the part of the fair sex, with a rather larger attendance than usual of midshipmen, for which reason Dave found many other midshipmen outside, strolling up and down.
"What we need, fellows," called Joyce, coming up to the chums, "is a new regulation that no midshipman may attend a hop unless he drags a femme." "That would have shut you out of every hop so far this year," laughed Dave.
"I know it," Joyce admitted.