Mr.
Holmes, do you know what was done with the other letters of resignation that I saw ?" "No, sir." "Their writers tore them up," went on the cadet lieutenant stiffly.
"Now, Mr.Holmes, if you persist in believing that you want to send this letter in to the superintendent, then I think it will be the best thing you can do; for if you still persist in wanting to resign, then you haven't manhood enough, anyway, to make a fit brother-in-arms for the comrades in your class." This was severely said.

Greg paled under the verbal thrashing.
"If you really wish to send in this letter," continued Mr.Edwards, "you have a perfect right to do it, Mr.Holmes." "May I speak, sir ?" asked Greg when the cadet lieutenant ceased talking, but remained looking fixedly at the new plebe.
"Proceed," replied Mr.Edwards.
"May I have that letter, sir ?" The cadet lieutenant handed it back without a word.
"May I--may I--" "Out with it, Mr.Holmes." "May I handle this letter at once in the way that I now wish, sir ?" "You may." Greg, his face again flushing painfully, tore the sheet into small bits, turning and tossing them into his waste basket.

Then he again wheeled, standing at attention.
"Stand at ease, mister," ordered Mr.Edwards, dropping out of his official tone and manner.

"Now, mister, will it do you any good if I explain a few little things about life here at West Point ?" "I shall be very glad, indeed, sir, if you will be good enough," replied Greg rather shamefacedly.
"In the first place, mister," went on the cadet lieutenant, sitting, now, with one leg thrown over the corner of Greg's desk, "the homesickness that has hit you touches every other man who comes here.

It's a mighty hard-working life here, and I'll admit, mister, that it's very cheerless during the plebe year.
"You think you are looked down upon, and regarded as being beneath contempt, mister.