"Joe," I replied, "you know I was never bothered above the ears."
"If you are going to carry the hod," he said, "you might as well go to the pipe-house, and let them cure you. Have you given up smoking, too?" he continued.
He meant the hop. I conned him again and said: "Yes." He showed the old peculiar, familiar grin, and said:
"Say, I have no coin. Take me with you and give me a smoke."
I tried to convince him that there was nothing in it, but he was a doubter.
"What are you doing, Joe?" I asked.
"O, just getting a few shillings," he replied, meaning that he was grafting.
"Why don't you give up the booze?" I asked.
I had made a break, for he said, quickly:
"Why? Because I don't wear a Piccadilly collar?"