"There is a pipe--you don't smoke, I hope?"

"No, sir; leastways not when I han't got any baccy, and I've been out
of that this three days--worse luck."

"Give up smoking, corporal, it is a foul habit."

"Ah, sir! you don't ever have a half-empty belly and a sorrowful
heart, or you wouldn't tell an old soldier to give up his pipe."

"Take my advice. Give up all such false consolation, to oblige me,
now."

"Well, sir, to oblige you, I'll try; but you don't know what his pipe
is to a poor old man full of nothing but aches and pains, or you
wouldn't have asked me," and old Giles sighed. Susan sighed, too, for
she thought Mr. Eden cruel for once.

"Miss Merton," said the latter sternly, his eye twinkling all the
time, "he is incorrigible; and I see you agree with me that it is idle
to torment the incurable. So" (diving into the capacious pocket) "here
is an ounce of his beloved poison," and out came a paper of tobacco.
Corporal's eyes brightened with surprise and satisfaction. "Poison
him, Miss Merton, poison him quick, don't keep him waiting."

"Poison him, sir?"

"Fill his pipe for him, if you please."

"That I will, sir, with pleasure." A white hand with quick and supple