“We have been,” said Mr. Wopsle, exalted with his late performance, — “we have been indulging, Mr. Orlick, in an intellectual evening.”

Old Orlick growled, as if he had nothing to say about that, and we all went on together.

I asked him presently whether he had been spending his half-holiday up and down town?

“Yes,” said he, “all of it. I come in behind yourself. I didn't see you, but I must have been pretty close behind you. By the by, the guns is going again.”

“At the Hulks?” said I.

“Ay! There's some of the birds flown from the cages. The guns have been going since dark, about. You'll hear one presently.”