four in the afternoon
A broadly-built , clumsy man , with something gnome-like about him , and the cheerful look of one whose country nerves had never known the touch of worry or long sickness . The name of the taller man was Peter Halsey , and Joseph Batts was his companion . It was a fine July evening , with a cold north wind blowing from the plain which lay stretched to their right . Under the unclouded sun , which by its own `` sun-time '' had only reached half-past four in the afternoon , though the clock in the village church had already struck half-past five , the air was dry and parching , and the fields all round , the road itself , and the dusty hedges showed signs of long drought . `` It du want rain , '' said Peter Halsey , looking at a crop of oats through an open gate , `` it du want rain -- _ bad _ . '' `` Aye ! '' said the other , `` that it du .