Foster declared that it was so thick during the last half of the contest that he couldn't see the backs.

Neil saw the game from the bench, and Paul, once more at left-half, played an excellent game; but, try as he might, could not outdo Gillam.

When it was over Neil declared the honors even, but Paul took a less optimistic view and would not be comforted.
All the evening, save for a short period when he went upstairs to sympathize with Cowan, he bewailed his fate into Neil's ears.

The latter tried his best to comfort him, and predicted that on Monday Paul would find himself in Gillam's place.

But he scarcely believed it himself, and so his prophecies were not convincing.
"What's the good of being decent ?" asked Paul dolefully.