"
Down below came the cadets, in orderly fashion, without either haste or
lagging. Having warmed up to his subject, Jack Benson lectured earnestly,
even if not with fine skill. At last he paused.
"Any of the cadets may now ask questions," announced Lieutenant Commander
Mayhew.
There was a pause, then one of the older cadets turned to Jack to ask:
"What volume of compressed air do you carry at your full capacity?"
"Mr. Benson's present status," rapped Mr. Mayhew, quickly, "is that of a
civilian instructor. Any cadet who addresses Mr. Benson will therefore say
'sir,' in all cases, just as in addressing an officer of the Navy."
The cadet so corrected, who was at least twenty-one years old, flushed as
he glanced swiftly at sixteen-year-old Jack. To say "sir" to such a
youngster seemed almost like a humiliation. Yet the cadet repeated his
question, adding the "sir." Jack quickly answered the question. Then two
or three other questions were asked by other cadets. It was plain,
however, that to all of the cadets the use of "sir" to so young a boy
appealed, at least, to their sense of humor.
Through the engine room door Sam Truax and Williamson stood taking it all
in.
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