three o'clock
The obvious thing , of course , was to go out and see the city , but he had declared to Judson that there was nothing worth seeing , and one must be consistent before one 's servants . Even the morrow offered no abatement to his misery . Most of the people he knew were going from Yokohama to Kobe by rail , and he pictured himself the only guest at the captain 's table for three mortal days . At three o'clock he went down to the terrace and took his seat at a small table that commanded a view of the hotel entrance . To one with a free mind the scene was highly diverting , with jinrikishas and occasional victorias thronging the bund , and gay parties constantly arriving and departing . Coolies in blue , with mysterious Chinese lettering on their kimonos and with bright towels about their heads , trotted past ; women with blackened teeth and with babies strapped on their backs clattered by on wooden shoes ; street venders sang their savory wares ; merchants displayed treasures of lacquer and ivory , street dancers posed and sang to the tinkle of the samisen . But to Percival it was at best a purgatory where he seemed to be doomed to wait through eternity .