about
midday
Fold your clothes when you go to bed , Roddy , and do not forget your evening prayers , for , oh , my dear boy , the days of temptation are at hand , when I will no longer be with you to help you . '' So with advice and guidance both for this world and the next did my mother , with her soft , warm arms around me , prepare me for the great step which lay before me . My uncle did not appear at breakfast in the morning , but Ambrose brewed him a dish of chocolate and took it to his room . When at last , about midday , he did descend , he was so fine with his curled hair , his shining teeth , his quizzing glass , his snow-white ruffles , and his laughing eyes , that I could not take my gaze from him . `` Well , nephew , '' he cried , `` what do you think of the prospect of coming to town with me ? '' `` I thank you , sir , for the kind interest which you take in me , '' said I. `` But you must be a credit to me . My nephew must be of the best if he is to be in keeping with the rest of me . ''