six o’clock
Knight 's features became impassive , and he said no more . The train continued rattling on , and Stephen leant back in his corner and closed his eyes . The yellows of evening had turned to browns , the dusky shades thickened , and a flying cloud of dust occasionally stroked the window -- borne upon a chilling breeze which blew from the north-east . The previously gilded but now dreary hills began to lose their daylight aspects of rotundity , and to become black discs vandyked against the sky , all nature wearing the cloak that six o'clock casts over the landscape at this time of the year . Stephen started up in bewilderment after a long stillness , and it was some time before he recollected himself . ` Well , how real , how real ! ' he exclaimed , brushing his hand across his eyes .