nine o'clock in the evening
I will early familiarize him with the gayest and most exciting modes of London life ! '' The very first taste of this cup of pleasure was exquisitely relished by Titmouse ; and he felt a proportionate gratitude to him whose kind hand had first raised it to his lips . Scenes of which he had heretofore only heard and read -- after which he had often sighed and yearned , were now opening daily before him , limited as were his means ; and he felt perfectly happy . When Snap had finished the day 's labors of the office , from which he was generally released about eight or nine o'clock in the evening , he would repair to his lodgings , and decorate himself for the night 's display ; after which , either he would go to Titmouse , or Titmouse come to him , as might have been previously agreed upon between them ; and then , -- `` The _ town _ was all before them , where to choose ! '' Sometimes they would , arm in arm , each with his cigar in his mouth , saunter , for hours together , along the leading streets and thoroughfares , making acute observations and deep reflections upon the ever-moving and motley scenes around them . Most frequently , however , they would repair , at half-price , to the theatres ; for Snap had the means of securing almost a constant supply of `` orders '' from the underlings of the theatres , and also from reporters to the _ Sunday Flash _ , -LRB- with which Messrs. Quirk and Gammon were connected , -RRB- and other newspapers . Ah , 't was a glorious sight to see these two gentlemen saunter into a vacant box , conscious that the eyes of two-thirds of the house were fixed upon them in admiration , and conducting themselves accordingly -- as swells of the first water !