Then he shook his head, donned his jacket, and sat down again.

Now that it was done, he was intensely sorry.

As for the quarrel with Cowan, that troubled not at all; but an open breach with Paul was something new and something which, just at this time especially, might work for ill.
Paul was already so far under Cowan's domination that anything tending to foster their friendship was unfortunate.

Neil was ashamed, too, of his burst of temper, and the remainder of the evening passed miserably enough.
When Paul returned he was cold and repellent, and answered Neil's attempts at conversation in monosyllables.

Neil, however, was glad to find that Paul said nothing further about a change of quarters, and in that fact found encouragement.