"
"Thanks," replied Boots, gazing shamelessly and inquisitively about.
There was nothing to see except a few books, a pipe or two, toilet
articles, and a shaky gas-jet. The flat military trunk was under the
iron bed.
"I--it's not much of a place," observed Selwyn, forcing a smile.
"However, you see I'm so seldom in town; I'm busy at the Hook, you know.
So I don't require anything elaborate."
"Yes, I know," said Boots solemnly. A silence.
"H--have a pipe?" inquired Selwyn uneasily. He had nothing else to
offer.
Boots leaned back in his stiff chair, crossed his legs, and filled a
pipe. When he had lighted it he said:
"How are things, Phil?"
"All right. First rate, thank you."
Boots removed the pipe from his lips and swore at him; and Selwyn
listened with head obstinately lowered and lean hands plucking at his
frayed girdle. And when Boots had ended his observations with an
emphatic question, Selwyn shook his head:
"No, Boots. You're very good to ask me to stop with you, but I can't.
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