noon
`` There spoke a London ` prentice bold , '' said the citizen ; `` and , for your comfort , my lads , you shall crush a cup of wine to the health of the Fathers of the City . I have my eye on both of you -- you are thriving lads , each in his own way . -- God be wi ' you , Davie . Forget not to-morrow at noon . '' And , so saying , he again turned his mule 's head westward , and crossed Temple Bar , at that slow and decent amble , which at once became his rank and civic importance , and put his pedestrian followers to no inconvenience to keep up with him . At the Temple gate he again paused , dismounted , and sought his way into one of the small booths occupied by scriveners in the neighbourhood . A young man , with lank smooth hair combed straight to his ears , and then cropped short , rose , with a cringing reverence , pulled off a slouched hat , which he would upon no signal replace on his head , and answered with much demonstration of reverence , to the goldsmith 's question of , `` How goes business , Andrew ? ''