noon
As a matter of fact , Elgin had begun as the centre of `` trading '' for the farmers of Fox County , and had soon over-supplied that limit in demand ; so that when other interests added themselves to the activity of the town there was still plenty of room for the business they brought . Main Street was really , therefore , not a fair index ; nobody in Elgin would have admitted it . Its appearance and demeanour would never have suggested that it was now the chief artery of a thriving manufacturing town , with a collegiate institute , eleven churches , two newspapers , and an asylum for the deaf and dumb , to say nothing of a fire department unsurpassed for organization and achievement in the Province of Ontario . Only at twelve noon it might be partly realized when the prolonged `` toots '' of seven factory whistles at once let off , so to speak , the hour . Elgin liked the demonstration ; it was held to be cheerful and unmistakable , an indication of `` go-ahead '' proclivities which spoke for itself . It occurred while yet Dr Drummond and Mr Murchison stood together in the store door . `` I must be getting on , '' said the minister , looking at his watch .