It was half-past ten, and the place looked dark and deserted.

Even the lights in the editor's windows were out, and the late hands had gone home.

Just at the corner Horace encountered Gedge, one of the late hands in question.
"Hullo, young 'un!" he said.

"Going home ?" "Yes, I'm going home," said young Gedge.
"I heard from my brother yesterday.

He was asking after you." "Was he ?" said the boy half-sarcastically.