Late in his first semester, Walt was helping build a “Beat Navy” sign for the upcoming Army-Navy football game. The makeshift platform he was standing on gave way, and he fell ten feet onto a concrete porch, fracturing his pelvis.
The doctor determined that he didn’t need a cast, but he would have to spend two months in bed. Normally, two months in bed would have been torture; but Walt found they were a blessing, a welcome vacation from the oppressive plebe system. Now he could get plenty of sleep and eat peaceful meals. He didn’t have to worry about eating properly—sitting on the first three inches of his chair, his back perfectly straight, looking down at his plate unless he was being spoken to.
And he finally had time to study, because he wasn’t earning demerits and walking tours. His professors were surprised that he now did better in his schoolwork even though he couldn’t attend classes. Walt’s stay in the hospital refreshed him, and when he got out, he could keep up with his academics, and he wasn’t overwhelmed by the plebe system.