Suddenly he recalled, and laughed, and whispered: "Sh-h--! I'm due for a
year and a half of shore duty. But don't mind if I hurry along, will
you? I got to get these children to bed."
"Go on--hurry--and good night," said Carlin. "Good night, Mrs. Wickett,"
and handed her into the elevator; and smoked two thoughtful cigars on
the veranda and then went inside and sat down and wrote a long letter on
the subject of the navy as a profession to the mother of a young lad
back home.
There was much detail, and then:
As to being away from home for long periods: Married officers tell
me that it is hard at times. But judging by what I saw awhile ago
here, the home-coming almost offsets the long absences. The kind of
a woman they marry probably makes a lot of difference. I'd say, let
him go if he wants to. Good night.
Your affectionate brother,