said David in an undertone . `` Last night , to tell you the truth , I had a rather poor opinion of your sanity . But now I am consumed with a fierce envy . She is the loveliest creature I ever saw . '' Eric introduced David to the Gordons and then hurried away to his school . On his way down the Gordon lane he met Neil and was half startled by the glare of hatred in the Italian boy 's eyes . Pity succeeded the momentary alarm . Neil 's face had grown thin and haggard ; his eyes were sunken and feverishly bright ; he looked years older than on the day when Eric had first seen him in the brook hollow . Prompted by sudden compassionate impulse Eric stopped and held out his hand . `` Neil , ca n't we be friends ? '' he said . `` I am sorry if I have been the cause of inflicting pain on you . '' `` Friends ! Never ! '' said Neil passionately . `` You have taken Kilmeny from me . I shall hate you always . And I 'll be even with you yet . '' He strode fiercely up the lane , and Eric , with a shrug of his shoulders , went on his way , dismissing the meeting from his mind . The day seemed interminably long to him .
David had not returned when he went home to dinner ; but when he went to his room XXXXX the evening he found his friend there , staring out of the window .
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