"I have often thought of giving it up," he said, softly, "and then I was afraid that it would look rather presumptuous." "Presumptuous ?" repeated Miss Drewitt.
"So many better and wiser men than myself smoke," exclaimed Mr.
Tredgold, "including even bishops.

If it is good enough for them, it ought to be good enough for me; that's the way I look at it.

Who am I that I should be too proud to smoke?
Who am I that I should try and set my poor ideas above those of my superiors?
Do you see my point of view ?" Miss Drewitt made no reply.
"Of course, it is a thing that grows on one," continued Mr.Tredgold, with the air of making a concession.

"It is the first smoke that does the mischief; it is a fatal precedent.

Unless, perhaps--How pretty that field is over there." Miss Drewitt looked in the direction indicated.