"If the fellows could only realize how unjust they are without meaning to be! But I can't make them see that.

I'll have to resign, of course, but I promised Lieutenant Denton to talk it over with him before doing anything of the sort, and I'll keep my word." Very absent minded did the young cadet become in the midst of his perplexed musings.

He heard the sound of martial music and unconsciously his feet moved in quicker time.
It was as though he were marching, led on by he knew not what.
Straight toward the music he moved, with the tread of a soldier responding to the drums.
Then, at last, when he was almost upon the building, Prescott came to himself and stopped abruptly.
"Cullum Hall!" he muttered, with a harsh laugh.

"The night of the cadet hop.

My classmates are in there, free-hearted and happy, and taking their lessons in the social graces---while I am on the outside, the social outcast of the class!" Yet, as there were no cadets in sight, out at this north end of the handsome building, Prescott presently moved forward, nearer.
"The old, old story of the beggar on the outside! The man on the outside, looking in!" muttered Dick with increasing bitterness.
"Yet I may as well look, since there is none to see me or deny me." Around the north end Dick passed, just as the brilliant music of the Military Academy orchestra was drawing to its close.