midday
My name 's Alexander Trummle , and I 've been seeven year at the trade , and twenty afore that herdin ' on Leithen Water . My freens ca ' me Ecky , and whiles Specky , for I wear glesses , being waik i ' the sicht . Just you speak the Surveyor fair , and ca ' him Sir , and he 'll be fell pleased . I 'll be back or midday . '' I borrowed his spectacles and filthy old hat ; stripped off coat , waistcoat , and collar , and gave him them to carry home ; borrowed , too , the foul stump of a clay pipe as an extra property . He indicated my simple tasks , and without more ado set off at an amble bedwards . Bed may have been his chief object , but I think there was also something left in the foot of a bottle .