“We are not under punishment, sir.” “And you feel fit?” “Yes, sir.” “And happy?” Driss, genuinely surprised, looked up at him, and after an instant’s pause answered, “Yes, sir,” in a voice which was somehow not so steady as he could have wished. “I see. That will do.” The Captain swung round on his heel and went below to his cabin. “Messenger!... Tell the Engineer-Commander to speak to me.” The messenger fled like the wind. He knew the Captain, but failed to recognize this mood. Ordinarily the Captain would have said, “Ask the Engineer-Commander....” The Engineer-Commander, stirred to unwonted activity by the boy’s breathlessness, came quickly. “You sent for me, sir?” “Engineer-Commander, are you personally responsible for the routine of midshipmen performing Engine-room duties?” “Mr. Aggett is directly responsible, sir--under me, of course.” “They are keeping watch and watch night and day. Are you aware of that?” “The Afternoon is regarded as kept, sir.” “So I am told.... In addition to their watch-keeping they do an Engineering sketch each week?” “Almost inconsiderable, sir.” “You forget that they come to me for initials every week. They are elaborate drawings.” “A few hours, sir....” “Let that pass.... They attend Divisions and Quarters. They are in charge of the stokers at Upper Deck Evolutions. And they attend their guns. All this in their watch off.” “I am not responsible for their Upper Deck duties, sir.” The Captain’s eyes flashed. “That was unnecessary, Engineer-Commander. It is your duty to make your orders conform to circumstances. Have you realized that these young officers get less than eight hours sleep in forty-eight?” “Surely, sir----” “I worked it out while I waited. There are the figures.” “I didn’t think, sir----” “It is extraordinarily necessary to think when you have young lives in your hands.” “I will instruct Mr. Aggett at once to make some modification, sir.” The Captain took back the paper on which his figures were written. “These officers are ill,” he said. “I may as well tell you that I was led to make enquiries entirely by the astonishing appearance of a midshipman I found standing on the quarter-deck. He was whiter than I care to see my midshipmen.” “I will make a change, sir.” “Yes.... In future, midshipmen will do duty in three watches, and they will not be below after 10 p.m. or before 5 a.m. That will ensure that they get a night’s sleep every other night.” “I will give your instructions, sir.” “And take the control of midshipmen entirely out of Mr. Aggett’s hands. Take charge of them yourself.” “Yes, sir.” “That is all then, Engineer-Commander.”