Whatever the cause, the evening has gotten a sudden shot of adrenaline; everyone seems to be talking about it and acting tough.

"A good meal, a quiet evening and then we get down to serious business."

As the evening got later Kirk felt increasingly heavy, both physically and mentally.

But that was about as unified as the evening ever got.

"I wonder," he said out loud to no one in particular, "if this evening could possibly get any worse."

And even though I thought the evening couldn't get any better, she was clearly calling me over to introduce me to her celebrity friends.

We are shocked that someone uses evenings and weekends to get a second education or start a useful new side business.

"Where you and I are going, the evening is just getting under way."

But just when we thought the evenings might get a bit boring.

The landlord had brought a feast of food, as well, though she did not intend to let the evening get that far.