noon
how can you think my father 's being at home or abroad could be of consequence ? -- The lady is of course a decent person ? ' ` I ' se uphaud her that , sir -- she is nane of your -- WHEW ' -- -LRB- Here James supplied a blank with a low whistle -RRB- -- ` but I didna ken -- my maister makes an unco wark if a woman comes here . ' I passed into my own room , not ill-pleased that my father was absent , notwithstanding I had thought it proper to rebuke James for having so contrived it , I disarranged my books , to give them the appearance of a graceful confusion on the table , and laying my foils -LRB- useless since your departure -RRB- across the mantelpiece , that the lady might see I was TAM MARTE QUAM MERCURIO -- I endeavoured to dispose my dress so as to resemble an elegant morning deshabille -- gave my hair the general shade of powder which marks the gentleman -- laid my watch and seals on the table , to hint that I understood the value of time ; -- and when I had made all these arrangements , of which I am a little ashamed when I think of them , I had nothing better to do than to watch the dial-plate till the index pointed to noon . Five minutes elapsed , which . I allowed for variation of clocks -- five minutes more rendered me anxious and doubtful -- and five minutes more would have made me impatient . Laugh as thou wilt ; but remember , Darsie , I was a lawyer , expecting his first client -- a young man , how strictly bred up I need not remind you , expecting a private interview with a young and beautiful woman .