a few minutes after eleven
o’clock
In spite of the fact that some misguided people advertise its attractions and call it the Riviera of Portugal , it is a pleasant spot to live in when Lisbon is very hot . There are several excellent hotels there and I have found it a good plan to migrate from the capital and settle down in Mont ` Estoril for June , July and August . I have to go into Lisbon every day , but this is no great hardship , for there is a convenient train service . I usually catch what the Portuguese call a train of `` great velocity '' and arrive at the Caes da Sodre railway station a few minutes after eleven o'clock . From that I go , partly on foot , partly in a tram , to the embassy and spend my time there in the usual way . One morning -- I have kept a note of the date ; it was the ninth of August -- I saw a large crowd of people , plainly tourists , standing together on the footpath , waiting for a tram . The sight was common enough .