Part 33 (1/2)
”I understand his position, precisely,” said Mr. Lowington; ”and I will not ask his name. The information proves to be painfully correct, and there appears to have been no malice in giving it.”
”No, sir; I don't think there was: indeed, I know there was not,” added Paul, when he considered that Wilton and the other gamblers were Shuffles' intimate companions.
”This is a very serious matter, Mr. Kendall,” repeated the princ.i.p.al, thoughtfully.
”I think it is, sir; that is the reason why I came to you, instead of going to the captain.”
”Perhaps it is better that you did so, on the whole,” replied Mr.
Lowington. ”It has enabled me to see the evil for myself. Have you any views in regard to what should be done, Mr. Kendall?”
The princ.i.p.al often asked the opinion of the officers concerning similar matters under discussion, perhaps in order to teach them self-respect, rather than with the expectation of obtaining valuable suggestions from them.
”I think there should be stricter discipline in the mess rooms, sir,”
replied Paul, blus.h.i.+ng to have his opinion asked. ”The fellows----”
”The students, you mean,” interposed the princ.i.p.al.
”Excuse me, sir,” added Paul, blus.h.i.+ng deeper than before at this gentle rebuke.
The boys had a language of their own, which was not tolerated by the faculty when it ran into coa.r.s.eness and slang.
”What were you about to say, Mr. Kendall?” continued the princ.i.p.al, smiling at the confusion of the young officer.
”The students can now do anything they like in the mess rooms. They have plenty of money, and if they want to gamble, they can. They were playing last night when the first part of the starboard watch were on duty.”
”You are right, Mr. Kendall,” said Mr. Lowington ”The students must be looked after in their rooms. Has there ever been any gambling among the officers in the after cabin?”
”I never saw any, or heard of any. I don't think there has been.”
”I hope not; but we must grapple with this question in earnest,” added the princ.i.p.al, as he led the way out of the state room into the main cabin.
The chaplain and the doctor were there, and Mr. Lowington wished to take their advice upon the serious matter before him; and before he permitted the second lieutenant to retire, he stated the case to them.
”Gambling!” groaned the chaplain.
”I detected them in the act myself,” added Mr. Lowington. ”You may retire, Mr. Kendall.”
”Why, this is awful!”
”Boys will do almost anything that men will,” said Dr. Winstock, the surgeon.
”Drinking and gambling!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the chaplain. ”What are we coming to?”
”I fear there are other vices of which we know nothing yet,” added the doctor.
”Why, I'm afraid the Academy s.h.i.+p will prove to be a failure, after all,” sighed Mr. Agneau.
”Not at all,” argued Dr. Winstock. ”We are in position here to treat these evils properly. There are no fond mothers and indulgent fathers to spoil the boys, when the discipline becomes sharp.”
”What can we do?” demanded the chaplain. ”Moral and religious influences seem to have no effect.”