He hurried inside, and came out smoking one, putting the remainder of the box in his pocket.
"I don't see why youse don't take a smoke," he said to Dick.
"I suppose because I never learned how. Do you like it?"
"Do I? Say, it's all to de merry. Better have one."
"No, thank you. I don't think it's a good thing for boys to smoke."
"Why not?"
"I've read somewhere that it makes them stunted. And it isn't good for their brains."
"Huh! It ain't hurt me none."
"How long have you been smoking?"
"Ever since I was twelve, an' I'm goin' on sixteen now. I keep right on growin'. Course I ain't sayin' much of me brain, but den I guess I never had much."