midday
And the same spirit , martial , poetic , make-believe , stayed with Gilian up till the Friday . It was hard indeed to escape it , for was not the town about him in a ferment of anticipation ? In our sleeping community we know no longer what of zest the very name of the Army had for the people now asleep in the rank grasses of Kilmalieu . The old war-dogs made more lingering sederunts in the change-houses , the low taverns in the back lands sounded with bragging chorus and debate , and in the room of the Sergeant More the half-pay gentlemen mixed more potently their midday drams . The burgh ceased its industry , and the Duke , coming down the street upon his horse , saw most of the people who should be working for his wages leaning upon the gables indolent or sitting at the open windows with the tumblers at their hands , singing naughty songs . He leaned over , and with his crop rapped upon the factor 's door . Old Islay came out with a quill behind his ear and a finger to his brow .