Rex’s cup of joy was full when Dudley Harrington asked him to go to New Haven with him. It would be pleasure indeed to go anywhere in company with that fascinating young gentleman, but to visit a college town in his company, to be introduced as his friend—this would be bliss indeed, thought Rex.
But on top of this realization of how much he wanted to go, came the fear that he could not obtain permission to accept. It was a humiliating reminder of his youth, Rex felt, to reflect that he must ask his mother before coming to any decision.
“I’d love to go, Harrington,” he said. “I’ll let you know about it in the morning. That will be time enough, won’t it?”
“Plenty. I’ll leave on the Limited, at five, I think. Get our dinner on board and be ready for fun in New York when we get there. I say, why don’t you decide now, Reggie?”
“Oh, I guess I can go,” stammered Rex.
He hated to confess that he must first ask leave.
“When can I get back?” he asked.
“Oh, by Saturday, or you can stay over till Monday with me if you will. We never do much the first of the term, and I’ve got plenty of room in my quarters.”
The Pells knew that Rex had formed the acquaintance of “the Harrington fellow.” They also knew that he was to go to college in a few days, so, if Mrs. Pell feared any evil influence over Reginald, she consoled herself with the thought that this would be removed in a very short time.
Now when Rex came with the request that he be allowed to go to New Haven with his new friend, her answer was a prompt and decided “No.”