“Why, man!” he exclaimed. “What are you thinking of? You have barely time to get to the Grand Central Station before the last train goes out. Come, I’ll go to the station with you, but I won’t go up to-night. I’m not needed at the college, and I’ll wait for Professor Lee.”
He had started to his feet and was moving toward the door. Parmenter sat still.
“I’m not going up to-night, either,” he said, quietly.
Delavan turned back in amazement.
“But my dear man,” he exclaimed, “to-morrow morning is Commencement! You’re on the Commencement stage!”
“Yes, I know. I shall not be there.”
The young professor came back into the room and sat down.
“Parmenter,” he said, “what does this mean? Surely you are not going to let the honors of Commencement Day slip by you in order to meet Professor Lee and Charley as they land? I know something of what has happened between you, and what you hope for in the way of reconciliation, and let me assure you that this action is certainly uncalled for. Pardon me, my dear boy, but it’s foolish!”
Then Parmenter awoke. “Look here, professor!” he said warmly. “I have been waiting for this meeting for two years. I have thought of it night and day. The hope that it may not be wholly fruitless has kept me from disgrace and despair. Do you suppose that a petty prize or the gratification of a selfish ambition would be enough to send me running like a coward from it now?”
“Why, Parmenter, I didn’t know that you—I—”