There a second-hand watch might be had, with choice amongst a score, taken in exchange from ploughmen or craftsmen.

Jeames was poor, for there was not much trade in his line, and so was never able to have much of a stock; but he was an excellent watchmaker--none better in the great city--so at least his town-folk believed, and in a village it soon appears whether a watchmaker has got it in him.
He was a thin, pale man, with a mixed look of rabbit and ferret, a high narrow forehead, and keen gray eyes.

His work-shop and show-room was the kitchen, partly for the sake of his wife's company, partly because there was the largest window the cottage could boast.

In this window was hung almost his whole stock, and a table before it was covered with his work and tools.

He was stooping over it, his lens in his eye, busy with a watch, of which several portions lay beside him protected from the dust by footless wine-glasses, when the laird and Cosmo entered.