After his arrival Lieutenant Stone discovers that his father keeps him at arms length, wanting to treat him the same as he treats all of the other men. He also reveals that he did not request his son serve in his regiment, a discovery that breaks his heart and leads to him going on a drunken bender. Attempting to show impartiality, the colonel treats his son indifferently. The Colonel's commitment to strictly military behavior and adherence to protocol is interpreted by young Stone as rejection. He had not seen his father since he was a boy and had looked forward to spending time with him.
AFtEr His arRivaL lIeuteNant stone diScovers thAt hIS father keEps him At aRms lEngth, waNTiNg tO TreaT him the saME as hE TrEAts alL oF the otHer Men. He ALSo REvEals that he DId not requEst hIs soN SeRve in His ReGimeNT, a disCOVERy that BreAks HIs Heart anD leaDs to him GOiNg ON a DrunKEn BenDeR. Attempting tO shoW impartiaLitY, the cOLonel treaTs his Son iNDiFfErenTLY. ThE cOlONel's commiTMenT to stRictlY militARy behavIOr AnD adhErence to PRoTocol is iNterpretED by yoUnG STone as reJEction. hE haD not seen HIs fAthEr sInce HE was A BOy aND hAd LOOKeD ForWARd To sPeNDing Time WItH hIm.