As the musicians began to tune up at the bandstand, most of the remaining cadets sauntered through the company streets on their way to get close to the music.

All cadets who passed through A company’s street became suddenly silent when within ten paces of Dick’s tent, and remained silent until ten paces beyond.

Dick’s tent being at the head of the street, he was quite near enough to the music.  But he was not long in noting that both cadet escorts and cadets without young ladies took pains not to approach too close to where he sat.  It was enough to fill him with savage bitterness, though he still strove to be just to his classmates who had been blinded by Cadet Jordan’s villainous scheme.

Of a sudden the band struck up its lively opening march.  Just at that moment Prescott became aware of the fact that Greg Holmes was lifting out a campstool and was placing it beside him.

“Well,” announced Greg, “I’ve found out all there is behind the silence.”

“I took it for granted that was your purpose,” Dick responded.

“Aren’t you anxious to hear the news, old ramrod?”

“Yes; very.”

“I’m hanged if you look anxious!” muttered Greg, studying his chum’s face keenly.

“I fancy I’ve got to display a good deal of skill in masking my feelings,” smiled Dick wearily.

“Oh, I don’t know,” returned Cadet Holmes hopefully.  “It may not turn out to be so bad.”

“Then a permanent silence hasn’t been imposed?”

“Not yet,” replied Greg.

“By which, I suppose, you mean that the length of the silence has not yet been decided upon.”

“It hasn’t,” Greg declared.  “It was only after the biggest, swiftest and hardest kind of campaign, in fact, that the class was swung around to the silence.  Only a bare majority were wheedled into voting for it.  Nearly half of the class stood out for you stubbornly, pointing to your record here as a sufficient answer.  And that nearly half are still your warm adherents.”

“Yet, of course, they are bound by the majority action?”

“Of course,” sighed Greg.  “That’s the old rule here, isn’t it?  Well, to sum it up quickly, old ramrod, the silence has been put on you, and that’s as far as the decision runs up to date.  The class is yet to decide on whether the silence is to be for a week or a month.  Of course, a certain element will do all in its power to make the silence a permanent thing.  Even if it is made permanent, Dick, you’ll stick, won’t you?”

“No.”

“What?”

“I shall not even try to stick against any permanent silence,” replied Prescott slowly.

“I thought you had more fight in you than that,” muttered Greg in a tone of astonishment.

“I think I have enough fight,” Dick replied with some warmth.  “And I honestly believe I have enough in me to make at least a moderately capable officer of the Army.  But, Greg, I’m not going to make a stubborn, senseless effort, all through life, to stay among comrades who don’t want me, and who will make it plain enough that they do not consider me fit to be of their number.  Greg, in such an atmosphere I couldn’t bring out the best that is in me.  I couldn’t make the most of my own life, or do the best by those who are dear to me.”