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 in the evening he found his friend there , staring out of the window . `` Well , '' he said , impatiently , as David wheeled around but still kept silence , `` What have you to say to me ? Do n't keep me in suspense any longer , David . I have endured all I can . To-day has seemed like a thousand years . Have you discovered what is the matter with Kilmeny ? ''
`` There is nothing the matter with her , '' answered David slowly , flinging himself into a chair XXXXX the window .
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