"Well, Mr Grenvile, I called upon your friend Fawcett this afternoon, and had a fairly long chat with him, in spite of the doctors.  The poor fellow will never be of any further use afloat, I am afraid; but he may yet do good service ashore if those fellows can patch him up sufficiently to enable him to go home.  And I think they will; yes, I think they will.  He was very much better when I left than when I arrived;" and the old boy's eyes twinkled good-humouredly.  "It is wonderful," he continued, "what a little promotion will do for a man in his condition.  Talking of promotion, I mentioned to him that I had given you an acting order, at which he seemed greatly pleased; and he said several things about you, young gentleman, which I shall not repeat, but which I was very pleased to hear, since they all go to confirm the good opinion of you that I have already formed.  But he reminded me that before your acting order can be confirmed you must pass your examination.  Now, do you feel yourself to be in trim to face the examiners at any moment?"