four
o’clock
Colia was not in , but he was informed that he might be back shortly , and had left word that if he were not in by half-past three it was to be understood that he had gone to Pavlofsk to General Epanchin 's , and would dine there . The prince decided to wait till half-past three , and ordered some dinner . At half-past three there was no sign of Colia . The prince waited until four o'clock , and then strolled off mechanically wherever his feet should carry him . In early summer there are often magnificent days in St. Petersburg -- bright , hot and still . This happened to be such a day . For some time the prince wandered about without aim or object .