Звездный десант

           observesthisbyavoidingthenecessityinthewardroomandpayingnoattentiontothesillycustominourownpartoftheship.

           Seniorityrandownhillfromeachendofthetable,withtheSkipperattheheadandthestrikeforceC.O.atthefoot,thejuniormidshipmanathisrightandmyselfattheSkipper’sright.Iwouldmosthappilyhavesatbythejuniormidshipman;shewasawfullyprettybutthearrangementisplannedchaperonage;Ineverevenlearnedherfirstname.

           IknewthatI,asthelowliestmale,satontheSkipper’sright—butIdidn’tknowthatIwassupposedtoseather.Atmyfirstmealshewaitedandnobodysatdown—untilthethirdassistantengineerjoggedmyelbow.Ihaven’tbeensoembarrassedsinceaveryunfortunateincidentinkindergarten,eventhoughCaptainJorgensonactedasifnothinghadhappened.

           WhentheSkipperstandsupthemealisover.ShewasprettygoodaboutthisbutonceshestayedseatedonlyafewminutesandCaptainBlackstonegotannoyed.Hestoodupbutcalledout,"Captain—"

           Shestopped."Yes,Major?"

           "WilltheCaptainpleasegiveordersthatmyofficersandmyselfbeservedinthecardroom?"

           Sheansweredcoldly,"Certainly,sir."Andwewere.ButnoNavalofficerjoinedus.

           ThefollowingSaturdaysheexercisedherprivilegeofinspectingtheM.I.aboard-whichtransportskippersalmostneverdo.However,shesimplywalkeddowntherankswithoutcommenting.