"I think you ought to use it for a holiday," the Deputy Commissioner answered.
"But I'd rather be doing something!" protested Colin.
"Perhaps," was the firm reply; "but not necessarily at Beaufort. Aside from the hatching of diamond-back terrapin, there's nothing going on there in which you could be of any service. Besides, you'll get 'stale' unless you have a vacation. 'All work and no play,' you know."
Colin was eager to urge the Deputy Commissioner, but he could see it would be useless.
"I'd read up on turtles, too!" he returned in a disappointed tone.
"H'm—by your instructor you mean Mr. Lark, do you not?"
"Yes, sir."
"Look here, Colin," said the Deputy Commissioner, "since you have practically joined the Bureau by our promise to accept you if you make good, don't forget that we are after results first. I've been a boy myself, and I think I can see
what you're driving at. I suppose Lark has been telling you some of his stories about riding diving turtles."
"Yes, Dr. Crafts," the boy replied; "he told me a lot about it."