Midnight
To the duckling , peas , and other delicacies , intended for Mr. Kneebone 's special consumption , she added a few impromptu dishes , tossed off in her best style ; such as lamb chops , broiled kidneys , fried ham and eggs , and toasted cheese . Side by side with the cheese -LRB- its never-failing accompaniment , in all seasons , at the carpenter 's board -RRB- came a tankard of swig , and a toast . Besides these there was a warm gooseberry-tart , and a cold pigeon pie -- the latter capacious enough , even allowing for its due complement of steak , to contain the whole produce of a dovecot ; a couple of lobsters and the best part of a salmon swimming in a sea of vinegar , and shaded by a forest of fennel . While the cloth was laid , the host and Thames descended to the cellar , whence they returned , laden with a number of flasks of the same form , and apparently destined to the same use as those depicted in Hogarth 's delectable print -- the Modern Midnight Conversation . Mrs. Wood now re-appeared with a very red face ; and , followed by Winifred , took her seat at the table . Operations then commenced . Mr. Wood carved the ducks ; Mr. Kneebone helped to the pigeon-pie ; while Thames unwired and uncorked a bottle of stout Carnarvonshire ale .