MIDSHIPMAN DARRIN HAS THE FLOOR
But Dave did not speak at first. Advancing only a short distance
into the hall he stood with arms folded, his face well-nigh
expressionless.
For a moment the class president glanced at Darrin, then at the
assemblage.
"Gentlemen," announced the class president, "you have heard the
motion, that Mr. Clairy be sent to Coventry for all time to come.
The motion has been duly seconded. Remarks are in order."
"Mr. President!"
It was Dave who had spoken. All eyes were turned in his direction
at once.
"Mr. Darrin," announced the chair. "Mr. President, and classmates,
I, for one, shall vote against the motion."
An angry clamor rose, followed by calls of, "Question! Put the
motion!"
"Do any of you know," Darrin continued, "why Mr. Clairy is not
here this evening?"
"He's afraid to come!"
"Did any of you note that Mr. Clairy was not at supper?"
"The hound hadn't any appetite," jeered Fenwick angrily.
"You have observed, of course, that Mr. Clairy was not here at
the meeting?"
"He didn't dare come!" cried several voices.
"If you have any explanation to make, Mr. Darrin, let us have
it," urged the chair.
"Mr. President and classmates," Midshipman Darrin continued, "all
along I have felt that there must be some explanation to match
Mr. Clairy's most extraordinary conduct. I now offer you the
explanation. The officer in charge sent for me, to impart some
information that I am requested to repeat before this meeting."
"Go on!" cried several curious voices when Dave paused for a moment.
"Fellows, I hate to tell you the news, and you will all be extremely
sorry to hear it. You will be glad, however, that you did not
pass the motion now before the class. Mr. President, I have to
report, at the request of the officer in charge, the facts in
Mr. Clairy's case.
"From the peculiar nature of the case both the superintendent and
the commandant of midshipmen were convinced that there was
something radically wrong with Mr. Clairy."
"Humph! I should say so!" uttered Penwick, with emphasis.
"Mr. Clairy was not at our mess at supper," resumed Dave Darrin,
"for the very simple reason that he had been taken to hospital.
There he was examined by three surgeons, assisted by an outside
specialist. Mr. President and classmates, I know you will all
feel heartily sorry for Clairy when I inform you that he has been
pronounced insane."
Dave ceased speaking, and an awed silence prevailed. It was the
chair who first recovered his poise.
"Clairy insane!" cried the class president. "Gentlemen, now we
comprehend what, before, it was impossible to understand."
In the face of this sudden blow to a classmate all the midshipmen
sat for a few minutes more as if stunned. Then they began to
glance about at each other.
"I think this event must convince us, sir," Darrin's voice broke
in, "that we young men don't know everything, and that we should
learn to wait for facts before we judge swiftly."
"Mr. President!"
It was Gosman, on his feet. In a husky voice that midshipman
begged the consent of his seconders for his withdrawing the motion
he had offered sending Midshipman Clairy to Coventry. In a twinkling
that motion had been withdrawn.
"Will Mr. Darrin, state, if able, how serious Clairy's insanity
is believed to be?" inquired the chair.
"It is serious enough to ruin all his chances in the Navy," Dave
answered, "though the surgeons believe that, after Clairy has
been taken by his friends to some asylum, his cure can eventually
be brought about."
The feeling in the room was too heavy for more discussion. A
motion to adjourn was offered and carried, after which the first
classmen hurried from the room.
Of course no demerits were imposed as a result of the crazy reports
ordered by Midshipman Clairy on that memorable night. Three days
later the unfortunate young man's father arrived and had his son
conveyed from Annapolis. It may interest the reader to know that,
two years later, the ex-midshipman fully recovered his reason, and
is now successfully engaged in business.
Spring now rapidly turned into early summer. The baseball squad
had been at work for some time. Both Darrin and Dalzell had been
urged to join.
"Let's go into the nine, if we can make it---and we ought to,"
urged Dan.
"You go ahead, Danny boy, if you're so inclined," replied Dave.
"Aren't you going in?"
"I have decided not to."
"You're a great patriot for the Naval Academy, Davy."
"I'm looking out for myself, I'll admit. I want to graduate as
high in my class as I can, Danny. Yet I'd sacrifice my own desires
if the Naval Academy needed me on the nine. However, I'm not
needed. There are several men on the nine who play ball better
than I but don't let me keep you off the nine, Dan."
"If you stay off I guess I will," replied Dalzell. "If the nine
doesn't need you then it doesn't need me."
"But I thought you wanted to play."
"Not unless you and I could be the battery, David, little giant.
I'd like to catch your pitching, but I don't want to stop any
other fellow's pitching."
So far the nine had gone on without them. Realizing how much
Dan wanted to play with the Navy team in this, their last year,
Dave changed his mind, and both joined. A very creditable showing
was made after their entrance into the nine. That year the Navy
captured more than half the games played, though the Navy was
fated to lose to the Army by a score of four to three. This game
is described in detail in "_Dick Prescott's Fourth Year At West
Point_."
With the approach of graduation time Dave's heart was gladdened
by the arrival in Annapolis of Belle Meade and her mother, who
stopped at the Maryland House. Dave saw them on the only days
when it was possible---that is to say, on Saturdays and Sundays.
He had many glimpses of his sweetheart, however, at other times,
for Belle, filled with the fascination of Naval life, came often
with her mother to watch the outdoor drills.
When Dave saw her at such times, however, he was obliged to act as
though he did not. Not by look or sign could he convey any
intimation that he was doing anything but pay the strictest heed
to duty.
Then came the Saturday before examination. Dave Darrin, released
after dinner, would gladly have hurried away from the Academy
grounds to visit his sweetheart in town, but Belle willed it otherwise.
"These are your last days here, Dave," whispered Belle, as she
and her handsome midshipman strolled about. "If I'm to share
your life with you, I may as well begin by sharing the Naval Academy
with you to-day."
"Shall we go over to the field and watch the ball game when it
starts?" Darrin asked.
"Not unless you very especially wish to," Miss Meade replied.
"I'd rather have you to myself than to share your attention with
a ball game."
So, though Midshipman Dave was interested in the outcome of the
game, he decided to wait for the score when it had been made.
"Where's Dan to-day?" Belle inquired.
"Over at the ball game."
"Alone?"
"No; the brigade is with him, or he's with the brigade," laughed
Darrin.
"Then he's not there with a girl?"
"Oh, no; I think Danny's second experience has made him a bit
skeptical about girls."
"And how are you, on that point, Mr. Darrin?" teased Belle, gazing
up at him mirthfully.
"You know my sentiments, as to myself, Belle. As for Dan---well,
I think it beyond doubt that he will do well to wait for several
years before he allows himself to be interested in any girls."
"Why?"
"Well, because Danny's judgment is bad in that direction. And
he's pretty sure to be beaten out by any determined rival. You
see, when Danny gets interested in a girl, he doesn't really know
whether he wants her. From a girl's point of view what do you
think of that failing, Belle?"
"I am afraid the girl is not likely to feel complimented."
"So," pursued Dave, "while Danny is really interested in a girl,
but is uneasily unable to make up his mind, the girl is pretty
sure to grow tired of him and take up with the more positive rival."
"Poor Dan is not likely to have a bride early in life," sighed
Belle.
"Oh, yes; one very excellent bride for a Naval officer to have."
"What is that?"
"His commission. Dan, if he keeps away from too interesting girls,
will have some years in which to fit himself splendidly in his
profession. By that time he'll be all the better equipped for
taking care of a wife."
"I wonder," pondered Belle, "what kind of wife Dan will finally
choose."
"He won't have anything to do with the choosing," laughed Darrin.
"One of these days some woman will choose him, and then Dan will
be anchored for life. It is even very likely that he'll imagine
that he selected his wife from among womankind, but he won't have
much to say about it."
"You seem to think Dan is only half witted," Belle remarked.
"Only where women are concerned, Belle. In everything else he's
a most capable young American. He's going to be a fine Naval
officer."
In another hour Belle had changed her mind. She had seen all
of the Academy grounds that she cared about for a while, and now
proposed that they slip out through the Maryland Avenue gate for
a walk through the shaded, sweet scented streets of Annapolis.
As Darrin had town liberty the plan pleased him.
Strolling slowly the young people at last neared State Circle.
"I thought midshipmen didn't tell fibs," suddenly remarked Belle.
"They're not supposed to," Dave replied.
"But you said Dan was at the ball game."
"Isn't he?"
"Look there!" Belle exclaimed dramatically.