But first he paused, for a brief instant, shooting at the midshipmen a look that was full of pity for them.

For himself, Jack Benson appeared to have no especial feeling.

Then the young commanding officer went back into the engine room, closing the door after him.
"What did he shut the door for ?" asked Jetson.
"Probably they're going to do something, in there, that will call for a good deal of physical exertion." "Well, what of that ?" demanded Jetson, not seeing the point.
"Why," Dave explained, "a man at laborious physical work uses up more air than a man who is keeping quiet.

If the three officers are going to work hard in there then they've closed the door in order not to deprive us of air." "We called them kids, at first," spoke Dan Dalzell ruefully, "but they're a mighty fine lot of real men, those three acting Naval officers." Dave Darrin rose and walked over to the engine room, opening the door and looking in.

Hal and Eph were hard at work over the motor, while Lieutenant Jack Benson, with his hand in his pockets, stood watching their efforts.
"I beg your pardon, sir," said Darrin, saluting, "but did you close this door in order to leave more air to us ?" "Yes," answered Jack Benson.