“There was a case before a Court of Enquiry only a few months ago, sir. I have heard that was pretty bad. The junior snotties in that ship were in the same Term as ours, so I have heard a good deal of it indirectly.” “But perhaps that was an isolated case.” “I don’t think so, sir. The Home and Atlantic Fleets----” “Stop a minute.” The Captain took his feet from the fender, and raised himself in his chair. “That’s what I want to get at. I want to be quite frank, and I expect frankness from you. I know--of course I know--that this chasing of midshipmen goes on. But it is very difficult for one in my position--a Captain of a ship is more isolated than, perhaps, many of you imagine--it’s difficult to find out the exact extent of the evil. How much of it is genuine? How much exaggeration? And, more difficult still, what is the cause of it? Young officers nowadays are different from the old--differently educated. Osborne and Dartmouth aren’t the mill that the old _Britannia_ was. They come to sea less prepared for--for whatever harsh treatment they may receive. You mentioned the Home and Atlantic Fleets. I’m afraid I interrupted you, but I think you were going to limit the system--to a certain extent, at least--to those fleets. Isn’t that so? Well--now, what’s the cause of it all? What is there behind it? Is it the drive at home, or is it something--something more fundamental, something in the very veins and arteries of the Service.” “You are better able to judge of that than I am, sir.” The Captain leaned back. “I want your opinion.” “I think it goes on for three reasons, sir. First, it’s the Service tradition. There are hundreds of officers who believe--honestly believe--that it is necessary to chase snotties in order to bring them to a right frame of mind, in order to produce efficiency. Second--the reason you suggested, sir--the pressure of work, the feeling one has of living from day to day until--until something happens to break the tension--that makes us not quite ourselves. We never trouble about the effect on the snotty. A long view is impossible--there isn’t time. And so we do without thinking what we should never do if we thought.” “And the third cause?” “It’s rather complicated, sir.” “Never mind.” “And I’m afraid you may think it fantastic--not quite a practical view to take.” “Let me have it, all the same. You seem to have thought out this matter, Hartington?” “Yes, sir; I have. It struck me as important--even of first-rate importance. And the present state of affairs is so bad that there’s bound to be an end to it soon, one way or another. It’s better that the change should come from inside the Service than from outside.” “You think it’s as bad as that? But no one outside knows anything about it.” “They will, sir. It is so bad that one day someone will wake up to it. The Press may get hold of it.” “We don’t want the Press in the Service.” “No, sir. That’s why I think this business ought to be stopped from inside.”