"But what made you choose this Hottentot stuff?" I enquired.
"The soldiers like it strong," Joan replied, "and this looked about the strongest he'd got."
"What does it call itself?"
"It was anonymous when I bought it, but you'll no doubt see its name on the bill when it comes in."
"Thanks very much," I said. "That's what I should call forcible fleecing. Not that I mind in a good cause——"
"Isn't it ingenious?" interrupted Joan. "You just put the tobacco in between the rollers, and twiddle this button round until—until you've twiddled it round enough; then you slip in a cigarette-paper—like that—moisten the edge of it—twiddle the button round once more—open the lid—and shake out the finished article—comme ça!"
An imperfect cylindrical object fell on to the floor. I stooped to pick it up and the inside fell out. I collected the débris in the palm of my hand.
"How many of these have you made?" I asked.
"Only three thoroughly reliable ones, including that one," she replied. "I've rolled ever so many more, but the tobacco will fall out."
"Here, let me give you a hand," I suggested. "I'll roll and you lick."