ten o'clock
Hundreds of people are bemoaning the fact that now there can be no graduating parade . Down in barracks the members of the class are busily packing trunks , trying on civilian garb , and rushing about in much excitement . In more senses than one Phil Stanley 's room is a centre of gravity . The commandant at ten o'clock had sent for him and given him final opportunity to state whose place he occupied during the inspection of that now memorable night , and he had respectfully but firmly declined . There was then no alternative but the withdrawal of his diploma and his detention at the Point to await the action of the Secretary of War upon the charges preferred against him . `` The Class , '' of course , knew by this time that McKay was the man whom he had saved , for after one day of torment and indecision that hapless youth had called in half a dozen of his comrades and made a clean breast of it . It was then his deliberate intention to go to the commandant and beg for Stanley 's release , and to offer himself as the culprit .