It was a relief to hear the command to fall in. Haynes felt still better when the battalion stepped away at its rhythmic step. He did not have to look at any of his contemptuous comrades now, nor did he need a word from them.
Somehow, though in a daze, the turnback got through dress parade without reproof from any of the watchful cadet officers. Then, almost immediately after dress parade, came the hardest ordeal of all.
Once more, this time in fatigue uniform, the turnback had to fall in at supper formation. With the rest he marched away to cadet mess ball, found his place at table and occupied it.
During the meal merry conversation ran riot around the tables. Haynes was the only man among the gray-clad cadets who was left absolutely alone.
After supper, while Pierson lounged outside, Haynes went back to his room.
Pacing the floor in his deep misery and agitation, he took this vow to himself:
"I won't let myself be driven from the Military Academy! No matter what these idiots try to do to me—-no matter what indignities they may heap upon me, I'll keep silent and fight my way through the Military Academy! I will receive my commission, and go into the Army. But that fellow Prescott shall never become an officer in the Army, no matter what I have to risk to stop him!"
CHAPTER XXIV
CONCLUSION
For most of the young men at West Point the academic year now came swiftly and joyously to an end.