five in the
morning
At West Point no excuse whatever is accepted for untidiness of person or quarters . With military snap and briskness the battalion was formed . Then at brisk command , the battalion turned to the left in column of fours , marching down the hot , sun-blazed road to cadet mess . Despite the heat and the hard work of the forenoon -- these cadets had been up , as they we every day in summer , since five in the morning -- spirits ran high at the midday meal , and chaffing talk and laughter ran from table to table . The meal over , the battalion marched back to camp . There were a few minutes yet before the afternoon drills . A few minutes of leisure ?