About all we can say this week is WHEW!!!

Veterans of seventeen days at he NS CS (4/7.4/23, inclusive dates) every Wave feels as harrassed and harried as an S.O. or a D.O. after his ninth fogey. Those first thirteen disbursing problems with their 845 answers threatened to crush hitherto battered but unbroken spirits.

When it comes to problems there are two kinds of people: those who prefer to take 'em straight--all pertinent points and no trimmings--and those who think they are more fun with the philosophy and red herring thrown in. We'd like to share our prize catch with you-all.

Problem 2. Black and White

Burton Black, a Warrant Machinist, had never married and was highly respected by his shipmates.... Winona White was a Navy Nurse and a career woman with no intention of losing her independence by entering the gates of matrimony.... A mild case of influenza resulted in Black's being a patient under the care of White, and from then on Black thought more of White and White thought less of a career.... Ignoring all preliminaries, suffice to say that Black maried White.

And why the Blacks are living happily ever after, the poor D.O. struggles along with effective dates, TPA's, and food, shelter, and clothing allowances for the lucky couple.

You see what we mean? Those who hold attitude No. 1 re problems are undoubtedly among the unfortunate four-fifths of the class which has to copy all such problems in longhand every night from the one girl in the row who was issued a set.

Our instructors seem to enjoy these literary flourishes as much as the class. In fact, we sometimes suspect they are laughing off their own problems. Mr. Ambrose admits his "association with the giggly sex" is making him giggly too.

The week has not been without its lighter moments. Patroits' Day made a nice break in the routine of the supply course. Leaving all thought of manuals and specimens behind--for ten minutes--the entire class enjoyed the gala parade from Byerly's windows. And what was even more inspiring, a crew of little patriots in a parade-conscious mood trailed and cheered US all the way home.

And then there was the weekend just past. Even those on the List as a result of the first two quizzes had pul-entee to talk about on Monday morning. Of all this only one remark intrigued us. We asked the girl on our left at breakfast the usual question, "And what did YOU do over the weekend?" and she gave us this cryptic reply: "I did a variety of things."