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.”

“But I’ve as good as told him I’d go. mother,” he pleaded.

“You had no right to do that,” rejoined Mrs. Pell.  “You wouldn’t be in your element at all in the company of his friends, and of course you are sure to meet a great many of them.”

“I’m in my element in his company.  He’s had me over there every day since we got acquainted.  Besides, just think, I’ve never been to New York in my life since I was a baby, and this will be a splendid chance for me to see it.  I can pay all my own expenses, so I needn’t be under obligations to him.  Please, mother; I didn’t go on that trip with the Bowmans and now after school commences I shan’t have another chance.”

But Mrs. Pell was firm.  She was a woman quick to discern character and she had seen enough of Dudley Harrington through the windows to conclude that he was not the sort of person to whom she wished to intrust an impulsive boy like Rex for two or three days.  She chided herself now for having permitted the intimacy to go as far as it had.

Rex knew that it was useless to say more, and presently went to his room.

Here he threw himself on his sofa and brooded over his troubles.  It seemed to him that he was the most unlucky fellow that ever lived.  He never could have what he wanted.  Even the money that he imagined was going to bring so much happiness failed to keep to the agreement, as he looked upon it.

“But just wait till I’m a little older,” he told himself.  “I’ll make up for lost time then.”

Still, this would not help him out of his present slough of despond.  He thought of how lonesome he should be after Harrington went away the next day.  He could have Scott or Charlie Minturn up to see him, to be sure, but somehow, since he had known Harrington, these old friends had not seemed so entertaining to him as they once had.