How do the other students react to Leper's enlistment?

In Chapter 9 of John Knowles's A Separate Peace, the reality of World War II and what it means to the boys' "inner circle" begins to weigh more heavily on the young men. While many of Gene's acquaintances threaten to enlist and are dismissed by their peers, Gene seriously contemplates Leper's announcement that he is going to join the ski troops. And, indeed, before Leper turns eighteen, which would heighten his chance of being drafted into whichever branch the government needed him, Leper makes good on his "threat."
Initially, after Leper says his goodbyes, the boys are in denial and act as if Leper didn't ever exist in their world, but Brinker soon comes up with the idea that the heroic feats that they read about can all be attributed to Leper. All of the boys, except Finny, join in on these ironic, imaginary stories about Leper's military accomplishments because, as Gene admits, they all wonder if they would be able to "make it" when faced with the reality of combat. Gene narrates,

We were all at our funniest about Leper, and we secretly hoped that Leper, that incompetent, was as heroic as we said. (127)

Finny is the only one from the small "band of brothers" who does not contribute to the fantastical stories about Leper because, unlike the others, he has no chance of being drafted and wants to retreat into his own fantasy where the war does not even exist.