aled
in the foremast, d'you see? When's that going to be finished, Hornby?"

The Commander laughed. "We'll have it done in time for Corney's
birthday, sir."

The Captain turned from the model. "Well, Standish," he said, "all
this"--he nodded at the work of his patient hands--"all this looks rather
as if we never had anything better to do! As a matter of fact, it's only
during the winter that one finds time for anything. We're pretty busy,
one way and another, you'll find. It'll take you some time to learn your
way round your turret, I expect. Jakes appears to find his an object of
some interest--do you know him, by the way?" The Captain's humorous blue
eyes twinkled.

"Yes, I travelled up with him, sir. He mentioned the turret."

"He probably did. He spends most of his life in his. Well, I'm glad
you've turned up in time for the Regatta. Our Wardroom crew wants a bit
of weight. I told the Admiral we were going to win the cock--the
Squadron trophy--this year, so you must see what you can do about it.
Also, I want you to look after the Midshipmen. They're a good lot, and
there's one in particular--Harcourt, isn't it, Commander?--who ought to
pull off the Midshipmen's Lightweights if he can keep down to the weight.
One or two want shaking up--Lettigne's too fat---- However, you probably
want to sling your hammock; hope you'll be comfortable." The Captain
nodded dismissal. As they reached the door the Captain spoke again. "By
the way," he said, "the children send their love...."

"Now," said the Commander as they emerged, "it's nearly lunch time. Come
along to the smoking-room."

They ascended again to the upper deck and forward of the superstructure,
descended a hatchway to the main deck. An open door in the armoured
bulkhead gave a glimpse forward of a gun battery and a teeming mess-deck
intent on its mid-day meal, where men jostled each other so thickly round
the crowded mess tables that it seemed incredible that anyone could live
for years in such surroundings and retain an individuality.

They turned away and passed aft down an electric-lit alley-way. A door
on the right opened for a moment as they passed, and emitted the strains
of a gramophone and a boy's laughter.

"That's the Gunroom," said the Commander. He led the way round a corner
and past the bloated trunk of an air-shaft to the other side of the ship.
"Here we are," he said, and opened a mahogany door in the white bulkhead,
step