He was so used to being humored by his roommate that this declaration of war took his breath away.

Cowan laughed with attempted nonchalance.
"Your friend's a bit chesty, Paul," he said.

"Perhaps we'd better humor him." "No, stay where you are," said Paul.

"If he thinks he's boss of me he's mistaken." He glared wrathfully at Neil, and yet with a trifle of uneasiness.

Paul was no coward, but physical conflict with Neil was something so contrary to the natural order that it appalled him.