midnight
he exclaimed , and stood bottle in hand , like one quite at a loss ; whereupon , perceiving his embarrassment , I took the bottle and swallowed a gulp for good-fellowship 's sake and straightway gasped . `` Why , 't is a bit strong , '' quoth he , `` but for the concocting , or , as you might say , com-posing o ' verses there 's nothing like a drop o ' rum , absorbed moderate , to hearten the muse now and then -- here 's health an ' long life ! '' Having said which , he swallowed some of the liquor in turn , sighed , corked the bottle and , having deposited it in the little tent , sat down to his work again with a friendly nod to me . `` Young sir , '' quoth he , '' 't is very plain you are one o ' the real sort wi ' nothing flash about you , therefore I am the more con-sarned on your account , and wonder to see the likes o ' you sitting alongside the likes o ' me at midnight in Dead Man 's Copse -- '' `` Dead Man 's Copse ! '' I repeated , glancing into the shadows and drawing nearer the fire . `` It is a very dreadful name -- '' `` But very suitable , young sir . There 's many a dead ` un been found hereabouts , laying so quiet an ' peaceful at last -- pore souls as ha ' found this big world and life too much for 'em an ' have crept here to end their misery -- and why not ?