yourself to go before the meeting Friday evening--"

"I shall not attend, Mr. Darrin. The class may take whatever action it
chooses in my absence."

"Jetson, you owe it to yourself, as well as to the class, to offer your
apology for a remark that reflected upon the whole brigade. You can
violate no feeling of honor or proper pride by such an apology. In fact,
I do not see how you can justify yourself in withholding such apology for
having expressed a sentiment which you know you did not mean in the way
that the brigade has taken it."

"My feelings on questions of honor cannot possibly concern you,
Mr. Darrin."

"On the contrary, your conduct does vitally concern me, Jetson. If
you do not make your apology the class will--well, you know what
will happen."

"Yes, I know," Jetson assented, his brow darkening.

"And possibly you know what it means to me. By my own statement--and I
cannot, in honor retract it, I shall be compelled to share Coventry
with you."

"No, you won't sir!" retorted Jetson, rising, his face ablaze with sulky
anger. "You may go to Coventry, Mr. Darrin, and welcome, but you shall
not share mine with me. You shall not share anything whatever with
me--not even the air of this room if I can prevail upon you to take
yourself out of a room where you are not wanted. Mr. Darrin, I indulge
myself in the honor of wishing you--good evening!"

Jetson crossed the room, threw open the door and bowed low. Flushing,
breathing quickly, Dave Darrin stepped out into the corridor and the door
closed smartly behind him.

CHAPTER XXI

MIDSHIPMAN JETSON HAS THE FLOOR

It was Friday afternoon, and the last sections had been dismissed
in front of Bancroft Hall. The balance of the afternoon belonged to
the midshipmen, though most of them found it necessary to give the
time to study.

Jetson was not one of the latter. Always well up in his studies, he had
no occasion to worry about daily markings or semi-annual examinations.

He had not grown less sulky, but he found himself a victim of unusual
restlessness. So he decided upon remaining out in the open air for
the present.

Though actuated by a very different class of feelings, Darrin, also, felt
disinclined for books. He tried to study, for a few minutes, but gave it
up and caught up his cap. The winter day being mild, he did not trouble
himself to don his uniform overcoat.

"Going to slip your cable?" inquired Dan, who was moored fast to a
text-boo