noon
It did not require a great effort , for the best and bravest of her sons rallied to his call . This spirit even reached the oldest of the academy boys , and was the cause of Manson 's strange reticence with Liddy . Among his mates were many who openly asserted their intention to enlist . Before and after school and at noon it was talked about . Some were , like Manson , the sons of peaceful tillers of the soil , and others the sons of tradesmen , but all were animated by the same patriotic spirit and that was to defend their country in her hour of danger . The example of a few became contagious , and seemed likely to affect all the young men of the academy of suitable age . In fact it did , for out of about thirty that were old enough , eighteen finally enlisted and went to war .