This embittered my early days; and not till the pride of youth had been tamed could I stop to lay in a stock of repartee on likely subjects the night before.

Then my pipe helped me.

It was the apparatus that carried me to my prettiest compliment.

Having exposed my pipe in some prominent place where it could hardly escape notice, I took measures for insuring a visit from a lady, young, graceful, accomplished.

Or I might have it ready for a chance visitor.