] "Over against the piano a man of bulk and stature was wearing two waistcoats on his wide chest..."

Good grief! I hope they're not flannel! ;-)

Seriously, Laurie, I noticed this too but can only speculate as to the purpose, which I took to be a show of festivity of sorts, as if he's lending a little something extra to the occasion. "One waistcoat? Nay, an occasion such as this demands two!" ;-)