midnight
It was n't his long-lost brother , but it was an old mate of his . Let us finish with a sketch : The scene was Circular Quay , outside the Messageries sheds . The usual number of bundles of misery -- covered more or less with dirty sheets of newspaper -- lay along the wall under the ghastly glare of the electric light . Time -- shortly after midnight . From among the bundles an old man sat up . He cautiously drew off his pants , and then stood close to the wall , in his shirt , tenderly examining the seat of the trousers . Presently he shook them out , folded them with great care , wrapped them in a scrap of newspaper , and laid them down where his head was to be .