noon
He spoke solemnly , as befitted a Scotsman expressing a deliberate opinion , and carefully , as if choosing his best English , for when Geordie became excited no one in Black Rock could understand him . ` Maister Chairman , ' said Geordie , ` I 'm aye for temperance in a ' things . ' There was a shout of laughter , at which Geordie gazed round in pained surprise . ` I 'll no ' deny , ' he went on in an explanatory tone , ` that I tak ma mornin ' , an ' maybe a nip at noon ; an ' a wee drap aifter wark in the evenin ' , an ' whiles a sip o ' toddy wi ' a freen thae cauld nichts . But I 'm no ' a guzzler , an ' I dinna gang in wi ' thae loons flingin ' aboot guid money . ' ` And that 's thrue for you , me bye , ' interrupted a rich Irish brogue , to the delight of the crowd and the amazement of Geordie , who went calmly on -- ` An ' I canna bide yon saloon whaur they sell sic awfu ' - like stuff -- it 's mair like lye nor guid whisky , -- and whaur ye 're never sure o ' yer richt change . It 's an awfu ' - like place ; man ! '