Chapter 12, "The New Order" Summary

At 16:30 the Caine's officers sit around the wardroom table, except for Willie, Gorton, and Captain Queeg. When the captain's doorknob turns, Gorton enters and announces, "All present, Captain". The officers stand as Queeg enters. He tells them to be seated. As he sits, he puts his cigarettes on the table and begins to rub the two steel balls between his fingers. Queeg never looks at the officers but keeps his eyes downcast. He wants things done his way, not the Navy way. He expects excellent performance from the crew. They have new watch standing orders. Tom Keefer reads in his room until Queeg summons him. Captain Queeg is standing at his washbasin shaving in his underwear. Keefer sees him as having a flat, hairless white chest, bulging little round stomach, and pallid skinny legs. Queeg...