Noon
It waited in the centre , and whetted impatience by sly trips in twos and three to stables or side alleys for `` mountain dew . '' Now and then the sheriff , a little man with a mighty voice , would appear on the courthouse steps , and summon a witness to court , where a frightened judge gave instructions to a frightened jury . But few went , unless called ; for the interest was outside ; every man in the streets knew that a storm was nigh , and was waiting to see it burst . Noon passed . A hoarse bell and a whining hound had announced dinner in the hotel . The guests were coming again into the streets . Eyes were brighter , faces a little more flushed , and the `` moonshine '' was passed more openly .