t appear to see him.

Haynes stepped over to the window, drumming listlessly on the
sill. At length he turned around.

"Pierson," he asked, "have the fellows sent me to Coventry?"

"You don't need to ask that," replied the other coldly.

"Is it because of Prescott?"

"Yes. And now, will you stop bothering me with the sound of your
voice?"

"Pierson, you know, when a fellow is cut by the corps, his roommate
is not required to avoid conversation with the unlucky one."

"I know that," replied Pierson coldly. "But I've had all I want
of you and from you. Except when it is absolutely necessary I
shall not answer or address you hereafter."

"How long am I to stay in Coventry?"

Pierson acted as though he did not bear.

"Has formal action been taken, or is this just a flash of prejudice,
Pierson?"

No answer.

"Humph!"

The call to form and march on to the parade ground was sounding.
Snatching up his rifle, Haynes stepped out and joined the others.

Haynes did not receive even as much as a cold glance.

"I'm less than a bit of mud to them!" thought the turnback bitterly.
"These fellows would step around a patch of mud, just to avoid
dirtying their shoes."

It was a relief to hear the command to fall in. Haynes felt still
better when the battalion stepped away at its rhythmic step.
He did not have to look at any of his contemptuous comrades now,
nor did he need a word from them.

Somehow, though in a daze, the turnback got through dress parade
without reproof from any of the watchful cadet officers. Then,
almost immediately after dress parade, came the hardest ordeal
of all.

Once more, this time in fatigue uniform, the turnback had to fall
in at supper formation. With the rest he marched away to cadet
mess ball, found his place at table and occupied it.

During the meal merry conversation ran riot around the tables.
Haynes was the only man among the gray-clad cadets who was left
absolutely alone.

After supper, while Pierson lounged outside, Haynes went back
to his room.

Pacing the floor in his deep misery and agitation, he took this
vow to himself:

"I won't let myself be driven from the Military Academy! No
matter what these idiots try to do to me---no matter what indignities
they may heap upon me, I'll keep silent and fight my way through
the Military Academy! I will receive my commission, and go into
the Army. But that fellow Prescott shall never become an officer
in the Army, no