noon
They 'll be there , all the waufies of Muirtown ; there 'll no be room in the street . ` Glass of whisky free ! ' '' and Jock wiped his eyes with his knuckles . Upon Saturday , at noon , just as the Bailie was going along the Terrace to his house and congratulating himself that on that day at least he was free from all annoyance by the way , another character of Muirtown had started out through a very different part of the fair city . London John was as well known in Muirtown as the Bailie himself , and in his way was quite as imposing . Tall and gaunt , without an ounce of superfluous flesh , and with an inscrutable countenance , dressed in a long frock-coat which he had worn for at least a quarter of a century , and a tall hat which he had rescued from an ashpit , with the remains of a pair of trousers , and something in the form of a shirt which was only seen when he laid aside the outer garment for active service , London John stalked with majesty through the streets of Muirtown . He earned his living as a sandwich man , or by carrying in coals , or by going errands , or by emptying ashpits .