But now they realized that playing football in the second year at Annapolis must be, for them, merely a foolish dream.
"I'm thankful enough if I can study day and night and keep myself up to 2.5," confessed Darrin, as he and Dan chatted over their gridiron longings.
Two-and-five tenths is the lowest marking, on a scale of four, that will suffice to keep a midshipman in the Naval Academy.
"I'm not going to reach 2.5 in some studies this month," groaned Dan.

"I know that much by way of advance information.

The fates be thanked that we're allowed until the semi-ans to pick up.

But the question is, are we ever going to pick up?
As I look through my books it seems to me that every succeeding lesson is twice as hard as the one before it." "Other men have gone through, every year." "And still other men have been dropped every year," Dalzell dolefully reminded him.
"We're among those who are going to stay," Dave contended stubbornly.
"Then I'm afraid we'll be among those who are dropped after Christmas and come back, next year, as bilgers," Dalzell groaned.
"Now, drop that!" commanded Darrin, almost roughly.

"Remember one thing, Daniel little lion slayer! My congressman and your senator won't appoint us again, if we fail now.