"Time enough, time enough," replied Clinton, good-naturedly, shaking the bottle to see if there was anything left in it, then touching a table-bell at his side, he summoned Quibbles.
"A couple of bottles of champagne here, and clean glasses."
They were brought instantly.
"How came you to drop in here, boys, to-night? I declare it is an unexpected pleasure."
"Pratt had something on his mind, and came in here to tell me of it; but he got so d——d huffy, I don't suppose I shall hear it now."
"Something on your mind, eh, Pratt?" said Clinton, in a commiserating tone, as he filled Arthur's glass, and shoved the bottle to Quirk; "if so, here's to the end of it."
They touched glasses, and drank off the sparkling draught.
"Now for the story, whatever it is!" cried Clinton.
"It is no story, only a little affair that happened after I left you this afternoon," returned Arthur.
"Indeed! after you left me! I am all impatience, my dear fellow, let's hear."