As they sped over the Central Railroad, Loammi was in high spirits. It was his first long journey and he felt somehow that it would increase his consequence. He was prepared to make much of it on his return, and he felt that his friends and schoolfellows would be impressed.
The International Hotel seemed to him quite grand, and as he had never been a guest at a hotel before, he quite enjoyed his new way of living.
"Isn't it fine, pa?" he said, as they walked through the office.
"It is fine enough," responded his father, practically, "but it costs money, Loammi; I expect they'll be charging me four or five dollars a day."
"Oh, well, pa, you can afford it."
"That may be, but I am afraid it is money thrown away to pay your expenses on such a trip. It would have been better to pay you ten dollars, and let you stay at home."
"I wouldn't have been willing to do it, pa. Wouldn't Scott like to be traveling as we are doing?"
"I presume he would. You haven't heard anything of him, have you?"
"No."
"He can't be in New York, I should say."