The tall soldier burst into praises of what he thought to be his powers of perception.
Some of the tall one's companions cried with emphasis that they, too, had evolved the same thing, and they congratulated themselves upon it.
But there were others who said that the tall one's plan was not the true one at all.

They persisted with other theories.

There was a vigorous discussion.
The youth took no part in them.

As he walked along in careless line he was engaged with his own eternal debate.

He could not hinder himself from dwelling upon it.