I regarded Pettigrew rather contemptuously, and then I looked with much interest at the tobacco.

It was of an inky color.

When I looked up I caught Pettigrew's eye on me.
He withdrew it hurriedly, but soon afterward I saw him looking in the same sly way again.

There was a rather painful silence for a time, and then he asked me if I had anything to say.

I replied firmly that I was looking forward to trying the tobacco with very great interest.