I that as a small courtesy among brother naval officers.
He was drinking and playing at dice with a group of his brother officers.
On a personal level, about as well as anyone knows his brother officer.
I am a brother officer and have a personal feeling, too.
"You recommended me to take leave of my brother officers before it was too late," he said.
His brother officers, as he well knew, looked to him to take the chief responsibility.
Several brother officers to begin with; navy and air force.
And what about some brother officer of mine who split with him?
"I'm sure your brother officer would appreciate that vote of confidence."
He still was a dab hand, his brother officers said.