noon
For that matter , the public generally was not aware that fearful hostilities were imminent , and he gave the subject no keen notice . There is not much to view in the city of odors -- Coleridge 's city of `` two and seventy '' smells . Only the cathedral . Although the museum is mediocre Gard dropped in there at noon to fill in his time . After wandering about he became aware that there was , in the distance , another visitor whose occasional shuffling footsteps first attracted his attention among the eye-obstructing objects . Then he saw , at times , a bulky form bending over some curiosity and contemplating it . As Kirtley had no companion on his journey , except the military scarecrow , he felt a touch of lonesomeness and was glad when he gradually approached near enough to see that this person was a kindly looking German who had the wondering air of a sight-seer .