THE BIRTH OF A GENTLEMAN It wasn't a real bombshell that hit the class, of course, but the effect was almost as startling.

First, there were murmurs, then a hubbub of voices, last of all a rousing cheer.
In the midst of the excitement Midshipman Farley leaped to his feet.
"Mr.President!" he bellowed.
But his voice did not carry ten feet from where he stood.
"Mr.President!" he yelled, louder than ever before.
Still the hubbub continued.

Farley leaped to the seat of his chair, turning and waving both arms frantically.

Any midshipman who had glanced toward the chair would have discovered that the occupant of the class chair was rapping hard with his gavel, though no sound of it was heard above the tumult.
Presently, however, Farley's antics produced their effect.

The noise gradually lessened.
"Mr.President!" essayed Farley once more.
"Mr.Farley has the floor!" shouted the class president hoarsely.
"Mr.President," went on Farley, at the top of his voice, "class honor and that of the brigade have been satisfied by the direct, manly statement of Mr.Jetson.I move you, sir, that the motion now before this body be tabled, all further action dropped and the class meeting adjourned subject to call." "Second the motion!" yelled Page.
"The motion to adjourn must follow the disposal of the first part of the motion," ruled the chair.
"I accept the amendment," called Farley.
"I, also," assented Page.
"Question! question!" "Before putting the motion," continued the chair, "I desire to ask Mr.
Jetson if he has fully considered his statement and the revised position that he has taken?
Since the matter affects the entire brigade, and not this single class, I feel that there should be no doubt, or any question to be raised later." "Mr.President," announced Jetson, when he had secured recognition, "I have retracted any offensive words that I may have uttered.