Besides, he himself was no undeveloped boy now.
He was a man, presumedly able to take care of himself.

Besides, again, had not Billy herself told him to go out and enjoy the evening without her, as she had to stay with the baby?
He would telephone her, of course, that he had met some old friends, and that he might be late; then she would not worry.
And forthwith, having settled the matter in his mind, and to his complete satisfaction, Bertram gave his undivided attention to Seaver, who had already plunged into an account of a recent Art Exhibition he had attended in Paris..