noon
A previous introduction from my wife had introduced him to myself . He had been not a little employed by that lady , in preparing plans and estimates for some of her extensive operations in drainage . Having , with much ado , exhorted from my spouse the promise that she would leave us to an unmolested survey , I began by leading Mr. Scribe down to the root of the matter , in the cellar . Lamp in hand , I descended ; for though up-stairs it was noon , below it was night . We seemed in the pyramids ; and I , with one hand holding my lamp over head , and with the other pointing out , in the obscurity , the hoar mass of the chimney , seemed some Arab guide , showing the cobwebbed mausoleum of the great god Apis . `` This is a most remarkable structure , sir , '' said the master-mason , after long contemplating it in silence , `` a most remarkable structure , sir . '' `` Yes , '' said I complacently , `` every one says so . ''