"During what was presumably my lunch period, Admiral Ass (a Mr. McHabe, who signs himself Adm. Asst.) appeared in my room with Joe Ferone. "This boy is on probation," he said. "Did he show up in homeroom this morning?" "Yes," I said. "Any trouble?" the Admiral asked. There we stood, the three of us, taking each other's measure. Ferone was watching through narrowed eyes. "No. No trouble," I said."