“Well, I was reckoning ez it's such a wild night there wouldn't be any use keepin' open, and when you fellows left I'd just shut up for good and make things fast,” said Harkutt, dubiously. Before his guests had time to fully weigh this delicate hint, another gust of wind shook the tenement, and even forced the unbolted upper part of the door to yield far enough to admit an eager current of humid air that seemed to justify the wisdom of Harkutt's suggestion. Billings slowly and with a sigh assumed a sitting posture in the chair. The biscuit-nibbler selected a fresh dainty from the counter, and Wingate abstractedly walked to the window and rubbed the glass. Sky and water had already disappeared behind a curtain of darkness that was illuminated by a single point of light--the lamp in the window of some invisible but nearer house--which threw its rays across the glistening shallows in the road. “Well,” said Wingate, buttoning up his coat in slow dejection, “I reckon I oughter be travelin' to help the old woman do the chores before supper.” He had just recognized the light in his own dining-room, and knew by that sign that his long-waiting helpmeet had finally done the chores herself. “Some folks have it mighty easy,” said Billings, with long-drawn discontent, as he struggled to his feet. “You've only a step to go, and yer's me and Peters there”--indicating the biscuit-nibbler, who was beginning to show alarming signs of returning to the barrel again--“hev got to trapse five times that distance.” “More'n half a mile, if it comes to that,” said Peters, gloomily. He paused in putting on his overcoat as if thinking better of it, while even the more fortunate and contiguous Wingate languidly lapsed against the counter again. The moment was a critical one. Billings was evidently also regretfully eying the chair he had just quitted. Harkutt resolved on a heroic effort. “Come, boys,” he said, with brisk conviviality, “take a parting drink with me before you go.” Producing a black bottle from some obscurity beneath the counter that smelt strongly of india-rubber boots, he placed it with four glasses before his guests. Each made a feint of holding his glass against the opaque window while filling it, although nothing could be seen. A sudden tumult of wind and rain again shook the building, but even after it had passed the glass door still rattled violently. “Just see what's loose, Peters,” said Billings; “you're nearest it.” Peters, still holding the undrained glass in his hand, walked slowly towards it. “It's suthin'--or somebody outside,” he said, hesitatingly.