"I know I don't and I want time to study." Dan gazed steadily at his chum, but Darrin seemed too deeply absorbed in his work to be conscious of the gaze.
On the whole studies and recitations passed off rather pleasantly for both chums that day, though both could see that there were breakers ahead.
After supper a few minutes were allowed for recreation, which consisted mostly of an opportunity for the midshipmen to chat with each other.

Then came the call that sent them to their rooms to study for two solid hours.
"I wish the powers that be would let us sit up an hour later," sighed Dave, looking up from his book in the middle of the study period.
"I'd rather they'd let us sleep an hour later in the morning," grumbled Dan.
"But, really, it would be great to have chance to study an hour more each evening," insisted Dave.
"Huh!" "Yes; I begin to feel that we're going to need more study time than we get, if we're ever to pass." At 9.30 the release bell rang.

Dan closed his book with a joyful bang, Darrin closing his much more reluctantly.
"I'm going visiting," declared Dalzell, starting toward the door.
Before he could reach the door, however, there sounded a slight knock and two midshipmen of the third class stepped in.
"Mister, what's your name ?" demanded one of the visitors.
"Dalzell, sir," replied Dan, standing at attention.
"What's yours, mister?
"Darrin, sir." "Stand on your head, mister." Dave obeyed with good-natured speed.
"That will do, mister.

Now, on your head, mister." Dan made a grimace, but obeyed.
Then the other visitor demanded: "Do either of you fourth class men intend to try to be ratey ?" "No, sir," replied Darrin promptly.
"Do you, mister ?" turning to Dalzell.
"No, sir." "Are you both a bit touge ?" asked the youngster questioner.
"I hope not, sir," replied Dave.
"Do you feel that way, mister ?"--looking at Dan.
"What way, sir ?" "Do you feel inclined to be touge, mister ?" "I'm willing to be anything that's agreeable, and not too much work, sir," replied Dan, grinning.
It is offensive for a fourth class man to grin in the presence of an upper class man.
Moreover, two other youngsters had just stepped into the room to watch proceedings.
"Mister," commanded the youngster whom Dan had answered, "wipe that grin off your face." Dalzell drew out his handkerchief, making several elaborate passes across his countenance with it.
"Touge!" growled his inquisitor.
"Very touge, indeed," assented the other three youngsters.
"Why did you bring out your handkerchief, mister ?" "Just obeying orders," replied Dan, with another grin.
"Wipe that grin off your face, sir!--no, not with your handkerchief!" So Dalzell thrust the handkerchief away and applied his blouse sleeve to his face.
"Stop that, mister! "Yes, sir," replied Dalzell meekly.
"Don't you know how to wipe a grin off your face ?" "I'm not sure, sir," Dan admitted.
"Mister, you are wholly touge! I'm not sure but that you're a ratey plebe as well." Thereupon Youngster Quimby plunged into a scathing lecture on the subject of a plebe being either touge or ratey.

At first Dan listened with a becoming air of respect.