That's
all. I should not like to put it out for him. Who am I that I can buy
him a new one, and keep it filled for him until the end? How did it
happen? No," suddenly, "I must not lose time in asking myself that. I
must get the new pipe."
She did it--a pipe of great magnificence--such as drew to the Doby
cottage as many callers as the village could provide, each coming with
fevered interest, to look at it--to be allowed to hold and examine it
for a few moments, guessing at its probable enormous cost, and returning
it reverently, to gaze at Doby with respect--the increase of which can
be imagined when it was known that he was not only possessor of the
pipe, but of an assurance that he would be supplied with as much tobacco
as he could use, to the end of his days. From the time of the advent
of the pipe, Grandfather Doby became a man of mark, and his life in the
chimney corner a changed thing. A man who owns splendours and unlimited,
excellent shag may like friends to drop in and crack jokes--and even
smoke a pipe with him--a common pipe, which, however, is not amiss when
excellent shag comes free.
"He lives in a wild whirl of gaiety--a social vortex," said Betty to
Lady Anstruthers, after one of her visits.
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