He was very much excited, but his excitement was of a pleasurable kind. One his way to the hotel, he met James Watson.
"Where ware you going, all dressed up, Ben?"
"Going to New York," answered Ben proudly.
"You're only foolin'!"
"No, I'm not. I'm going to New York by the twelve-o'clock train."
"What for?" asked James astonished.
"To escort a lady home," answered Ben. "She wants an able-bodied escort, that's used to traveling."
James was very much surprised, and also a little incredulous, but he was finally convinced that Benn was in earnest.
"I wish I were in your shoes," he said enviously. "There's nothing I'd like better than going to New York. You're a lucky boy!"
Ben quite agreed with him.