"Well, in order to do it every man of us must be in the pink of condition. You are not drinking, and Old Put doesn't know how much you are smoking. If he did he would call you down or drop you. It is pretty certain that Gordon would take your place."
"Well, I suppose you are going to tell Old Put all about it? Is that what you mean?"
"Not exactly. But you know I have as much interest in the makeup of our crew as Old Put, although he is the man who really has charge of us."
"Well?"
"If I were to say so, you would be taken out and some one else would fill your place."
"And would you do that?"
"Not unless forced to do so. You should know, Harry, that I am ready to stick by you in anything—if I can."
"If you can! I don't understand that—hang me, if I do! If I have a friend I am going to stick to him through anything, right or wrong!"
"That's first rate and it is all right. If you get into any trouble, I fancy you will not find anybody who will stand by you any longer. But this matter is different. You are in training, and you are not supposed to smoke at all, but you get here in this room and puff away by the hour."
"What harm does it do?"