midnight
The greatest attraction apparently lay in the direction of Dog Lane , the outlet towards Paddiford Common , whither the caricatures were moving ; and you foresee , of course , that those works of symbolical art were consumed with a liberal expenditure of dry gorse-bushes and vague shouting . After these great public exertions , it was natural that Mr. Dempster and his colleagues should feel more in need than usual of a little social relaxation ; and a party of their friends was already beginning to assemble in the large parlour of the Red Lion , convened partly by their own curiosity , and partly by the invaluable Mat Paine . The most capacious punch-bowl was put in requisition ; and that born gentleman , Mr. Lowme , seated opposite Mr. Dempster as ` Vice ' , undertook to brew the punch , defying the criticisms of the envious men out of office , who with the readiness of irresponsibility , ignorantly suggested more lemons . The social festivities were continued till long past midnight , when several friends of sound religion were conveyed home with some difficulty , one of them showing a dogged determination to seat himself in the gutter . Mr. Dempster had done as much justice to the punch as any of the party ; and his friend Boots , though aware that the lawyer could ` carry his liquor like Old Nick ' . with whose social demeanour Boots seemed to be particularly well acquainted , nevertheless thought it might be as well to see so good a customer in safety to his own door , and walked quietly behind his elbow out of the inn-yard . Dempster , however , soon became aware of him , stopped short , and , turning slowly round upon him , recognized the well-known drab waistcoat sleeves , conspicuous enough in the starlight .