"Will your father let you go?" repeated Joe, laughing.
"I sha'n't ask him."
"And I sha'n't ask him," again repeated Joe.
The next four or five days were full of planning. Wonderful were their imaginary adventures. Nu thought of failure entered their heads. Of course they must succeed. In what? In being independent, of course. Joe brought out a book filled with sketches of successful men who, when mere boys, had started out with empty pockets and determined purposes. Of course they should come out all right. If only somebody had been there to suggest to the foolish fellows that running away from good homes was not characteristic of these noble boys. How to get away without exciting suspicion was a question which required considerable study.
"How shall I ever got my trunk to the depot?" pondered Joe.
"Mine isn't half full," said his cousin. "Put your things in with mine; that will fix that part of the business, and we shall have to trust to luck for the rest."
Friday morning, Duncan started for home. As he was saying "Good-by" to his friends, Joe called out from the steps—
"Good-by all! If I don't come back, you may know that I have gone with Duncan."
As he had repeatedly declared his intention of going home with his cousin, the family finally settled upon this conclusion when he did not appear at dinner time.
Truth is, Joe Aiken was a wild boy, and used to having pretty much his own way, going and coming as he pleased; but this was the first time he had launched out so boldly for a sail upon an unknown sea. Of course their destination was New York, which they reached the same evening. Joe suggested that as they had a pretty good supply of money (he had not hesitated to help himself from his father's desk), they should spend a few days in having a good time, seeing the sights and getting acquainted with the city, meantime looking out for work.