"Why?"
Matt explained his increasing feeling of frustration in dealing with both atomic physics and astrogation.
Wong nodded. "I thought so. But we knew that you would have tough sledding since you came here insufficiently prepared. I don't like the sloppy work you've been doing since you came back from Luna."
"I've done the best I could, sir."
"No, you haven't. But you can master-these two subjects and I will see to it that you do."
Matt explained, almost inaudibly, that he was not sure he wanted to. Wong, for the first time, looked vexed.
"Still on that? If you turn in a request for transfer, I won't okay it and I can tell you ahead of time that the Commandant will turn it down."
Matt's jaw muscles twitched. "That's your privilege, sir."
"Damn it, Dodson, it's not my privilege; it's my duty. You would never make a marine and I say so because I know you, your record, and your capabilities. You have a good chance of making a Patrol officer."
Matt looked startled. "Why couldn't I become a marine?"