The Captain had a funny way of leaning back in the chair, and eating his apple with his eyes closed.

Sometimes I played dominos with him, and sometimes Miss Abigail read aloud to us, pronouncing "to" toe, and sounding all the eds.
In a former chapter I alluded to Miss Abigail's managing propensities.
She had affected many changes in the Nutter House before I came there to live; but there was one thing against which she had long contended without being able to overcome.

This was the Captain's pipe.

On first taking command of the household, she prohibited smoking in the sitting-room, where it had been the old gentleman's custom to take a whiff or two of the fragrant weed after meals.

The edict went forth--and so did the pipe.