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160 For some time the friends smoked in silent enjoyment with half-closed eyes, and apparently supported by the clouds of smoke which appeared like an "aerial eiderdown."

"Ah, this is real enjoyment," said Kéraban at length. "I know of no better way of passing an hour than this chat with one's pipe."

"Conversation without discussion," remarked Van Mitten.

"The Turkish Government has been as usual very badly advised to impose a tax on tobacco ten times its value," said Kéraban. "Thanks to that besotted folly, the use of the narghilé is gradually disappearing."

"That is much to be regretted, Kéraban," said Van Mitten.

"For my own part," continued his friend, "I have such a predilection for tobacco, that I would rather die than give up the use of it. Yes, die! Had I lived in the time ,of Amurat IV., the despot who wished to prohibit it on pain of death, I would have let them cut my head off with my pipe in my mouth."

"I quite agree with you," said the Dutchman, emitting two or three puffs of smoke.

"Gently, gently, do not smoke so fast," cried Kéraban. "You have no time to taste the pleasant smoke. You are like a glutton who bolts his food."

"You are always right, friend Kéraban," replied Van Mitten, who would not have provoked a discussion at that time for the world.

"Always right, Van Mitten."

"But what surprises me," continued the Dutchman, "is that we tobacco-merchants experience the greatest pleasure in smoking our own wares."

"And what then?" said Kéraban, who was always ready for an argument.

"Well, because, if it be true that pastrycooks are usually disgusted by pastry, and sweetmeat sellers by sweetmeats, it seems to me that a tobacco-merchant—"

"Permit me an observation—just one remark, Van Mitten."