midnight
In a moment the cavern presented a scene singularly tragic-comic ; the whole party was one busy mass of battle , with the exception of Ted and Batt , and the wife of the latter , who , having first hastily put aside everything that might be injured , stood enjoying the conflict with most ferocious glee , the schoolmaster having already withdrawn himself to his chair . Even Barney Broghan , the fool , could not keep quiet , but on the contrary , thrust himself into the quarrel , and began to strike indiscriminately at all who came in his way , until an unlucky blow on the nose happening , to draw his claret very copiously , he made a bound up behind the sill , uttering a series of howlings , as from time to time he looked at his own blood , that were amusing in the extreme . As it happened , however , the influence of liquor was too strong upon both parties to enable them to inflict on each other any serious injury . Such , however , was the midnight pastime of the still-house when our friend Hycy entered . `` What in the devil 's name -- or the guager 's -- which is worse -- '' he asked , addressing himself to Batt and Teddy , `` is the meaning of all this ? '' `` Faith , you know a ` most as much about it , '' replied Hogan , laughing , `` as we do ; they got drunk , an ' that accounts for it . '' `` Mr. Burke , '' said Finigan , who was now quite tipsy ; `` I am delighted to be able to -- to -- yes , it is he , '' he added , speaking to himself -- `` to see you well . ''