three o'clock
He yawned repeatedly and his head pained ominously . Two and a half years of office work were telling on him , although he scarcely realized to what extent , and but for a very fortunate circumstance -- which seemed to Evan an extremely unfortunate one -- he would have experienced a nervous breakdown before long . But more about that circumstance later . The bank door closed at three o'clock . Many people have an idea that work inside a bank ceases at that hour . That is one of the many delusions cherished respecting the business , one of the harmless delusions . After three o'clock , especially in a city office , the real strain begins .