noon
`` I leave you then in good hands , and hope to come back with cheerful news , '' I said , bowing low , and stepped forth on my errand . I turned to the left and fifty paces brought me into the main street . A gun and a train of wagons were rumbling over the bridge , convoyed by a handful of dragoons and a riff-raff of noisy lads and lasses . Late and cold as it was , the main street was thronged as on a fair day at noon . Most of the shops , especially those that dealt in provisions , were open and full of vociferous customers , while every alehouse was a pandemonium . The street was choked with townspeople and soldiery ; lanterns flickered and torches flamed ; oath and jest , bravado and buffoonery , filled the air . I pushed my way to the market-place .