The yellow paper fluttered from Prescott's hands to the floor.

Mechanically he picked it up and carried it to his study table.
"I can't stop them," he muttered dismally.

"Nor shall I be out of close arrest by that time, either.

There's nothing I can do.
I can't even see them---and I've been looking forward to this for months!" Again Dick Prescott buried his head in his arms at the study table.
To have Laura come here at the time when he was in the deepest disgrace that a cadet may face! Greg came back to find his chum pacing the floor in misery.
"Well, it can't be helped," muttered Holmes philosophically.
"Of course you and Anstey can drag the girls to Cullum." "Surely," muttered Holmes listlessly, "if the girls would go at all under such circumstances." "I've made their trip a mockery and a bitter disappointment," groaned Dick.
"No, you haven't ramrod," retorted Greg.

"Fate may be to blame, but you can't be held accountable for what you didn't do.