It was Harrington.  He had circled about and caught up with him.

Rex was so overwhelmed that he nearly lost his balance.  But he recovered himself in an instant, and his natural repose of manner asserted itself.

“Yes, indeed,” he answered.  “I was wondering if you had a wheel.  Most fellows have one nowadays.”

“Oh, this isn’t mine.  It’s one I hired.  I keep mine at New Haven.”

“Oh, you’re a Yale man then,” exclaimed Rex, prouder than ever at having formed this acquaintance.

“Yes, go back next week,” was the answer.  “And glad enough I’ll be, too.  It’s fearfully slow here at this time of year.  Nobody back in town I know.  Wouldn’t have been myself, only the governor fell sick and I didn’t want the mater to come on alone with him.”

What are you—­ senior?” inquired Rex respectfully.

“Oh, bless you no, only sophomore.  By the way, you have just moved into that house next door, haven’t you?”

“Yes, about three weeks ago.”

“Well, there was a stupid lot enough there before you.  A set of old maids, most of ’em.  You must be sociable and come in to see a fellow.  We’ve a pool table.  You play—­ look out there!”

Rex was glad a man in a buggy stopped suddenly in front of him just then, calling for this diversion in subject.  He did not know how to play pool and did not care to confess the fact just then.

When they were riding on unhindered again, he begun to talk about Yale and led the other on to relate several of his first year experiences.  By the time they struck the pavements again they were quite well acquainted.

“Let me see—­ your name’s Pell, isn’t it?” said Harrington, as they dismounted between the two houses.

“Yes, and I’m Reginald.”

Harrington put out his hand.

“Well, I’m awfully glad to have met you, Pell.  I say, come in to-night and see a fellow, won’t you?  That is if you haven’t anything better to do.”

Rex privately thought that he couldn’t possibly have this, but he only said, “I’ll be most happy to come.”

The friendship thus begun, progressed very rapidly.  Rex speedily learned how to play pool, but of this he said nothing at home.  Harrington seemed to have taken a decided fancy to the fellow who did not conceal the fact that he was proud to be acquainted with him.

Rex’s one source of regret was the fact that they were so soon to be separated.

“I say, Reggie,” said Harrington suddenly on the day before his departure, “suppose you come over to New Haven with me.  Just on a visit, I mean.  I’ll give you no end of a good time.  We’ll stop a night in New York on the way.  Oh, you must come.”

CHAPTER XVI

 Rex determines to take matters into his own hands

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.