noon
Well , ` twould be a good thing for the country if he were . '' Of such mental inconsistencies were benevolent old gentlemen then capable . But when Harley reached the bank , though it was late , Jamie had not yet arrived . Harley thought he knew the reason of this ; but when old Mr. Bowdoin came , at noon , the clerk was still away ; and the old gentleman , who had been merry all day , looked suddenly grave and waited . At one Jamie came in , hurrying . `` I hoped you would have taken a holiday to-day , '' said Mr. Bowdoin . `` I have come down to close the books , '' replied Jamie , not sharply .