midday
If one-hundredth of it were true , the worthy mayor had his work cut out , for the town was so ill-found that it would have fallen to a bombardment of turnips . I took my stand on the town-hall steps to scan the scene and collect my thoughts . And here I had the best of luck , for who should come clanking down the steps but Jack Dobson . I had no need to envy him now , having better work on hand than his , but even if the mood of the midday had been prevailing , it would have disappeared before his hearty greeting . `` Noll , by gad , Noll , '' he cried , wringing my hand joyously . `` I am glad to see you , bully-boy ; I thought you were sulking in your tent like -- like , you know his name , the fellow old Bloggs was always yarning about . '' `` Iphigenia , '' said I. `` Was that the chap ? ''