two o'clock in the afternoon
`` Don Crisostomo is to blame for all this , '' sighed a woman . The schoolmaster was also in the crowd , wandering about bewildered . Ñor Juan did not rub his hands , nor was he carrying his rule and plumb-bob ; he was dressed in black , for he had heard the bad news and , true to his habit of looking upon the future as already assured , was in mourning for Ibarra 's death . At two o'clock in the afternoon an open cart drawn by two oxen stopped in front of the town hall . This was at once set upon by the people , who attempted to unhitch the oxen and destroy it . `` Do n't do that ! '' said Capitana Maria .