ten minutes to
noon
When he had concluded , a man who seemed to be the moderator of the meeting rose to speak . `` We are sorry indeed to announce that our beloved Brother Elgood , who was next to have addressed us , is providentially hindered from being here to-day . This is a great disappointment ; for we who know how powerful and eloquent Brother Elgood is , had hoped to be greatly edified by his discourse . It still lacks an hour and ten minutes to noon ; and while we await the time for dinner to be spread in the grounds , another brother , a stranger from a distant part of the State , will speak . '' Thereupon , a tall , ungainly man of about forty years rose from a seat at the back of the platform and came forward . He was clad in copperas-dyed jeans trousers , ill-fitting cotton coat , and homespun shirt . He wore neither stock nor waistcoat , his trousers were baggy and too short for his long legs , and his cowhide shoes were covered with dust .