ting perspiration, indeed,' growled John Evenson, stopping short in
his walk across the large squares in the pattern of the carpet--'I was
ass enough to be persuaded some time ago to have one in my bedroom.
'Gad, I was in it once, and it effectually cured _me_, for the mere sight
of it threw me into a profuse perspiration for six months afterwards.'

A titter followed this announcement, and before it had subsided James
brought up 'the tray,' containing the remains of a leg of lamb which had
made its _debut_ at dinner; bread; cheese; an atom of butter in a forest
of parsley; one pickled walnut and the third of another; and so forth.
The boy disappeared, and returned again with another tray, containing
glasses and jugs of hot and cold water. The gentlemen brought in their
spirit-bottles; the housemaid placed divers plated bedroom candlesticks
under the card-table; and the servants retired for the night.

Chairs were drawn round the table, and the conversation proceeded in the
customary manner. John Evenson, who never ate supper, lolled on the
sofa, and amused himself by contradicting everybody. O'Bleary ate as
much as he could conveniently carry, and Mrs. Tibbs felt a due degree of
indignation thereat; Mr. Gobler and Mrs. Bloss conversed most
affectionately on the subject of pill-taking, and other innocent
amusements; and Tomkins and Wisbottle 'got into an argument;' that is to
say, they both talked very loudly and vehemently, each flattering himself
that he had got some advantage about something, and neither of them
having more than a very indistinct idea of what they were talking about.
An hour or two passed away; and the boarders and the plated candlesticks
retired in pairs to their respective bedrooms. John Evenson pulled off
his boots, locked his door, and determined to sit up until Mr. Gobler had
retired. He always sat in the drawing-room an hour after everybody else
had left it, taking medicine, and groaning.

Great Coram-street was hushed into a state of profound repose: it was
nearly two o'clock. A hackney-coach now and then rumbled slowly by; and
occasionally some stray lawyer's clerk, on his way home to Somers-town,
struck his iron heel on the top of the coal-cellar with a noise
resembling the click of a smoke-Jack. A low, monotonous, gushing sound
was heard, which added considerably to the romantic dreariness of the
scene. It was the water 'coming in' at number eleven.

'He must be asleep by this tim