‘Come in,’ called a voice. ‘Oh, that you, Raymond? Sit down. A telegram has just come from the Senior Naval Officer at Darlton. He says that the dry-dock will be vacant in a week’s time for the space of a month, but if I don’t make use of this opportunity he can’t guarantee it again until September. It’s earlier than I intended, but as I can’t afford to lose this chance I shall send you down to get your re-fit over and done with, as you’re next on turn. You’ll leave here at three p.m. on Friday and arrive Saturday morning.’ ‘Re-fit!’ Raymond showed his surprise in spite of himself. A vista of living in hotels swam before his eyes. A week’s leave during the summer, a break in the monotony. Lots of work about a re-fit, of course, but.... The Captain was still speaking. ‘I’m sorry I can’t give you longer notice, Raymond, but I mustn’t let this opportunity slip. You’ve got your defect list made out up to date, of course.’ ‘Yes, sir. I’m all ready as far as that goes. How long do they expect to take over it.’ ‘Well, as it’s your twelve-monthly re-fit, I expect about five or six weeks. It all depends on whether labour is to be had, of course. Nowadays one never knows. That’s settled, then. Your escort will be arranged for, and you’ll leave at three p.m. on Friday unless I get any further orders.’ ‘Very good, sir,’ said Raymond, rising, ‘and thank you, sir.’ ‘Don’t thank me, Raymond. I wouldn’t let you go if I could help it. Far too valuable these hard times.’ The captain of ‘123’ closed the door quietly, and two minutes later was back in the ward room. ‘Carruthers, you worm,’ he said reproachfully, ‘you knew it all the time. Now I’ve got to pay you your price in any case, you usurious Jew.’ ‘What is it?’ chipped in Austin. ‘Are you to be keelhauled at dawn?’ ‘No fear; re-fit.’ ‘What!’ ‘Re-fit. R-E-F-I-T. Re-fit.’ Austin sank back in his chair and mopped a fevered brow. ‘He talks of re-fits,’ he babbled incoherently. ‘Here are we working our fingers to the bone and running risks of hideous deaths daily, and the stripling talks of re-fits.’ ‘Well, I suppose he’s doing the decent anyway,’ said the practical Johnson, getting up and ringing the bell. ‘I imagine I’ll have to,’ laughed Raymond, ‘hard as it is on the missus and the kids. See, how many is it? Five, six, eight cocktails, please, waiter.’ Carruthers raised his glass with elaborate dignity. ‘I drink more in pity than in friendship to the knave who refused his just recompense to the bearer of glad tidings. In other words, here’s how.’ ‘Cheer-oh, my little ray of sunshine,’ cried the Torpedo Lieutenant. ‘What my most backward pupil in the noble art of work will do when he is torn from my tender care I tremble to contemplate, but be of good heart. Bertie will await your return to the fold and amply make up for the lost time, Naughty, now,’ he added, ducking swiftly as a chit-block sizzed over his head. ‘Remember me to all the Hieland lasses and gae canny wi’ the whuskey.’