a quarter to three in the afternoon
About this time as Kirstie passed down the stairs she took notice that a new tradesman had set up business on the landing below . At first she wondered that a barber -- for this was his trade -- should task his customers to climb so many flights from the street ; but it seemed that the fellow knew what he was about , for after the first week she never descended without meeting a customer or two mounting to his door or being followed down by one with his wig powdered and chin freshly scraped . The barber himself she never saw , though once , when the door stood ajar , she caught a glimpse of his white jacket and apron . She believed that he entered into occupation at Michaelmas ; at any rate , he had been plying his trade for close on two months , when on November 17th , 1739 , and at a quarter to three in the afternoon , Kirstie went down to the Parliament Close to carry a packet of thread to Mr. Seton . The packet was smaller than usual , for Mrs. Johnstone had not been able to finish her weekly quantity ; but this did not matter , since for a month past she had made none that was saleworthy . Now this Mr. Seton was a pleasant man , in age almost threescore , and full of interest in Mrs. Johnstone , having done business for her and her mother , the Lady Balgarnock , pretty well all his life . And so it often happened that , while weighing the thread and making out his receipt for it , he would invite Kirstie to his office , in the rear of the shop , and discuss her mistress 's health or some late news of the city , or advise her upon any small difficulty touching which she made bold to consult him -- as , for instance , this pious deception in the matter of the thread .