“In about two weeks. Gerald’s coming up to town to see me a day or two before I sail, and I’d like to have you come along, Dan, if you want to. I sail on Tuesday. You boys might come up Friday evening and stay until Sunday. We’ll fix it up later with Doctor Hewitt.”
“Thank you, sir,” answered Dan. “I’d like to come very much if I won’t be in the way. I’ve never been to New York except just to come into the station and go out again.”
“Well, we will have to show him some of the sights, eh, son? Take him to a theater or two.”
“That’ll be fine!” cried Gerald. “Will you go, Dan?”
“You bet I will, if I can get off!”
“I’ll write to the Doctor next week and see,” said Mr. Pennimore. “I think I can persuade him to let you go. Now get your cap, son, and walk a little way with me. Good-bye, Dan. I’ll see you in town before I sail. Keep an eye on this worthless boy of mine and see that he writes to me twice a week. If he doesn’t I’ll shut down on his allowance. I guess that will bring him to terms,” laughed Mr. Pennimore.
Dan went with them to the head of the stairs, shook hands again with Mr. Pennimore and returned to his room. Gerald’s big trunk, which had arrived an hour before, stood in front of the door. Dan bent over and unbuckled the strap. It wasn’t an easy task and Dan had to put all his strength into it. When it was done and he had slipped down the catches he stood off and ran his fingers through his hair in a way he had when puzzled. Then he shook his head slowly, fastened the catches again and, after a deal of hard work, restrapped the trunk, working the buckle into the last possible hole.
“Might as well begin right,” he murmured as he dropped panting into his chair and took up a book.