So he and Skinny fished for a while over the rail of the excursion boat, but Hervey soon tired of this, because the fish would not cooeperate.

Then they pitched ball on the deck, but the ball went overboard and Mr.
Warren would not permit Hervey to dive in after it.

So he made a wager with Skinny that he could shinny up the flag-pole, but was foiled in his attempt by the captain of the boat.

Thus he was driven to the refuge of conversation.
Balancing himself perilously on the rail in an unfrequented part of the steamer, he asked Skinny about the coveted award.

"They're not going to put you through a lot of book sprints, are they ?" he inquired.
"I'm going to get it Saturday night," Skinny said.