"Well, that's only your opinion."
It touched him that she knew so little of the world--or of her own position. He said gently, "I'm afraid you'd find it was everybody's opinion."
"Ought you to be so much influenced by the opinion of other people?"
"Yes, indeed," he answered. The cigarette with which she was still playing might separate them forever. His mother, he knew, was just waiting for a good excuse to send her away, and where could she find a better one?
She argued it further, tapping the cigarette on her hand as if she were about to place it between her lips.
"But you don't pay any attention when people say you oughtn't to smoke."
Even then he did not know that a trap had been set for him. On the contrary, he thought he had an original idea of some beauty when he said impulsively, "I tell you what, I'll swear off if you will."
She seemed to debate it through an agonizing second or two, while he looked at her with dog-like eyes. Then she smiled and gave him a strong hand.