“Robbie”

Robbie first attracted attention when l1e arrived with a group of sea- men. “The tough guys” of the outfit seemed to l1ave a healthy respect for this little fellow with the rolling sea gait, halfcocked blue‘ eyes and ‘thinning blond hair, who had had the habit of talking through the cor- ner of his mouth when dealing with them. They would run to him With all their grievances, fancied or real. setting forth demands, expounding their ideas on how the army ought to be run and demanding a change in regulations forthwith.

‘On one occasion a big, husky seaman was observed expostula- ting to Robbie with all the vehemence and elocution that bore the polish of all the ports of the Seven Seas. He was uttering threats, shaking his fists in Robbie’s face and finished up belligerently:

“What have you got to say to that?”

Robbie’s answer was unexpected. He first looked him him over calmly and stated deliberately:

“I think you’re full of hops!”

These weren’t his exact Words, but the meaning was the same only more so, as anybody familiar with seamen’s lingo would readily unders- tand.

The veterans looked on expectantly. These were fighting Words and the sailor was evidently only Waiting for an excuse. But they were disap- pointed. .

“So What!” said the sailor still defiantly but slightly deflated by this time.

“So go and chase yourself!” advised Robbie. The advice Wasn’t for- mulated in exactly those words but the meaning was again the same, only emphatically more so.

The seaman was completely satisfied.

“Well, If that’s the Way you look at it it’s perfectly O. K. with me. No harm in talking things over, is there ?”, he added half apologetically

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