The love of adventure and something new is good, but responsibility to one's troop, to oneself, is more important.

How will your father feel about the bicycle he had looked forward to giving you?
You see, Hervey, you regarded the winning of the Eagle award as an adventure, whereas the troop regarded it as a commission--a commission entailing responsibility." "I'm not so stuck on eagles," said Hervey, repeating Tom Slade's very words.

"There might be something better than the Eagle award, you can't tell." "Oh, Hervey, my boy, don't talk like that, and above all, don't let the boys hear you talk like that.

There's nothing better than to finish what you begin--_nothing_.

You know, Hervey, I understand you thoroughly.
You're a wizard for stunts, but you're weak on responsibility.