"We have thought," resumed Mr. Farnum, quietly, after blowing out a ring
of smoke, "of calling the third boat, now building, the 'Benson.'"
"The--the--what, sir?" stammered Jack, flushing and rising.
"Now, don't get excited, lad," laughed the shipbuilder.
"But--but--naming a boat for the United States Navy after me, sir--"
Captain Jack's face flushed crimson.
"Of course, if you object--" smiled Mr. Farnum, then paused.
"Object? You know I don't, sir. But I am afraid the idea is going to my
head," laughed Jack, his face still flushed. "The very idea of there being
in the United States Navy a fine and capable craft named after me--"
"Oh, if the Navy folks object," laughed Farnum, "then they'll change the
name quickly enough. You understand, lad, the names we give to our boats
last only until the craft are sold. The Navy people can change those names
if they please."
"It will be a handsome compliment to me, Mr. Farnum. More handsome than
deserved, I fear."
"Deserved, well enough," retorted the shipbuilder. "Dave Pollard and I are
well enough satisfied that, if it hadn't been for you youngsters, and the
superb way in which you handled our first boat, Dave and I would still be
sitting on the anxious bench in the ante-rooms of the Navy Department at
Washington.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25