“Speak for yourself.... And you in the rear there, stand at attention! What do you mean by lolling about in my cabin?” No answer was expected or given. “Who told you to come into my cabin? Get out of it. When I say ‘Come in,’ come in--not before.” They withdrew, and Sentley knocked again. “Come in.... Well? Don’t stand there like a dumb thing! What do you want, boy?” “We’ve come on board to join, sir.” “Will you speak for yourself? Now, report yourselves properly, one by one. What’s your name?” “Sentley, sir.” “Are you the senior?” “Yes, sir.” “Are these all the junior midshipmen? I thought we were to have six of you.” “Two haven’t come off yet, sir.” “Send them to me when they do. And see they know how to behave themselves before they come into my cabin. Understand?” The others then gave their names in turn. “Very well,” the Commander went on, “clear out now. I dare say I shall learn your names as soon as you care for. Go on--out of it!” The last command was shouted at them. It rang in their ears as they walked towards the Gunroom. “I wonder if he’s always like that?” “Lots of Commanders are half mad with over-work,” Cunwell said. “They chase everyone--lower deck, snotties, Wardroom--everyone.” “But have you ever heard anything so absolutely without cause?” asked Lynwood; “a screaming rage all about nothing.” “It’s part of the system, I suppose,” said Fane-Herbert, “and all for the good of the Service. It’s no good to take it too seriously.” II When the midshipmen had left his cabin the Commander picked up his pen and stooped once more over the letter he was writing to his wife. “... Means more drive,” he wrote. “All one’s life is an amazing drive. The R.A. never tires. He must be made of iron. It is his affectation--” The Commander crossed out the sentence and wrote: “He considers it necessary to be entirely unsparing of himself and others. It’s like running a mile race at a hundred yards’ pace. He acts as if there were going to be a war to-morrow. Of course, we all act similarly--and that means a smart ship. But if you knew how I should like to relax the pressure on the men--even for one day! But what the R.A. does we must all do. I have that promotion to think of that you and I are waiting for.