"Kindly get out of here," he said. "I've had enough of your insults.
This is my room; please leave it!" Cowan stared a moment in surprise,
hesitated, threw a glance of inquiry at Paul's troubled and averted
face, and slid from the table.

"Of course you can put me out of your room," he sneered. "For that
matter, I'm glad to leave it. I did think, though, that part of the shop
was Paul's, but I dare say he has to humor you."

"The room's as much mine as his," said Paul, "and I want you to stay in
it." He looked defiantly over at his friend. Neil had not bargained for
a quarrel with Paul, but was too incensed to back down.

"And I say you sha'n't stay," he declared. "Paul and I will settle the
proprietorship of the room after you're out of it. Now you get!"

"Maybe you'll put me out?" asked Cowan with a show of bravado. But he
glanced toward the door as he spoke. Neil nodded.

"Maybe I will," he answered grimly.

"Cowan's my guest, Neil!" cried Paul. "And you've no right to put him
out, and I sha'n't let you!"

"He'll go out of here, if I have to fight him and you too, Paul!" Paul
stared in wonderment. He was so used to being humored by his roommate
that this declaration of war took his breath away. Cowan laughed with
attempted nonchalance.