However, he was smoking when George arrived, and he encouraged George to join him in the pastime, but the caller, whose air was both tense and preoccupied, declined with something like agitation.
"I never smoke--that is, I'm seldom--I mean, no thanks," he said.

"I mean not at all.

I'd rather not." "Aren't you well, George ?" Eugene asked, looking at him in perplexity.
"Have you been overworking at college?
You do look rather pa--" "I don't work," said George.

"I mean I don't work.

I think, but I don't work.