“O, my dear fellow! surely there can’t be any harm in it. Why everybody smokes.” “It may be all very well for men, although I’m not so sure of that. But, at any rate, it’s wrong and ridiculous in boys. You know yourself what harm it does in every way.” “O, it’s a mere school rule against it. How can it be wrong? Why, I even know clergymen who smoke.” Montagu laughed. “Well, clergymen ain’t immaculate,” said he; “but I never met a man yet who didn’t tell you that he was _sorry_ he’d acquired the habit.” “I’m sure you won’t thank that rascally cousin of mine for having taught you,” said Russell; “but seriously, isn’t it a very moping way of spending the afternoon, to go and lie down behind some hay-stack, or in some frowsy tumble-down barn, as you smokers do, instead of playing racquets or football?” “O, it’s pleasant enough sometimes,” said Eric, speaking rather against his own convictions. “As for me, I’ve nearly left it off,” said Montagu, “and I think Rose convinced me that it was a mistake. Not that he knows that I ever did smoke; I should be precious sorry if he did, for I know how he despises it in boys. Were you in school the other day when he caught Pietrie and Brooking?” “No.” “Well, when Brooking went up to have his exercise corrected, Rose smelt that he had been smoking, and charged him with it. Brooking stoutly denied it, but after he had told the most robust lies, Rose made him empty his pockets, and there, sure enough, were a pipe and a cigar-case half full! You _should_ have heard how Rose thundered and lightened at him for his lying, and then sent him to the Doctor. I never saw him so terrific before.” “You don’t mean to say you were convinced it was wrong because Brooking was caught, and told lies--do you? _Non sequitur_.” “Stop--not so fast.” Very soon after Rose twigged Pietrie, who at once confessed, and was caned. I happened to be in the library when Rose sent for him, and Pietrie said mildly that “he didn’t see the harm of it.” Rose smiled in his kind way, and said, “Don’t see the _harm_ of it! Do you see any good in it?” “No, sir.” “Well, isn’t it forbidden?” “Yes, sir.” “And doesn’t it waste your money?” “Yes, sir.” “And tempt you to break rules, and tell lies to screen yourself?” “Yes, sir,” said Pietrie, putting his tail between his legs. “And don’t your parents disapprove it? And doesn’t it throw you among some of the worst boys, and get you into great troubles? Silly child,” he said, pulling Pietrie’s ear (as he sometimes does, you know), “don’t talk nonsense; and remember next time you’re caught I shall have you punished.” So off went Pietrie, [Greek: achreian idon] as our friend Homer says. And your humble servant was convinced.” “Well, well,” said Eric laughing, “I suppose you’re right. At any rate, I give in. Two to one ain’t fair; [Greek: ards duo o Aerachlaes], since you’re in a quoting humor.”