"Pretty good town, this!" continued Carden, socially.

"Yes."

"Sorry I haven't another pipe to offer you, Robert, my boy."

"Thank you; I shouldn't use it."

"Don't mean to say you don't smoke, eh, Bob?"

"I don't smoke."

"That is, not a pipe—I dare say you wouldn't mind a cigar or cigarette, now."

"I don't smoke at all now. I did once, but found it was injuring me, and gave it up."

"Oh, it won't hurt you. I've smoked since I was a chap so high"—indicating a point about three feet from the ground—"and I ain't dead yet."