West Point cadets are consistent.

They will never lift the ban, once they believe it to have been justly laid, just in order to make a better athletic showing.

The Academy authorities demand that a team athlete shall stand well in his studies and general discipline; the cadets themselves demand also that the man who carries their athletic colors must conform to cadet ideals of honor.

And Prescott, being in Coventry, surely was not to be regarded as a man of honor.
Washington's Birthday had come and passed, and Prescott still lingered in the cadet corps.

Indeed, he seemed as determined as ever upon graduating.
There were limits, however, to class patience.