four o’clock
In Mondesir centred all the gaiety of the proceedings , thanks to the guardroom sallies with which he enlivened his narrative . And in like way the greatest grief , a perfect shudder of revolt and compassion , was roused by the errand girl 's grandmother , a poor , bent , withered old woman , whom the prosecution had cruelly constrained to attend the court , and who wept and looked quite dismayed , unable as she was to understand what was wanted of her . When she had withdrawn , the only remaining witnesses were those for the defence , a procession of foremen and comrades , who all declared that they had known Salvat as a very worthy fellow , an intelligent and zealous workman , who did not drink , but was extremely fond of his daughter , and incapable of an act of dishonesty or cruelty . It was already four o'clock when the evidence of the witnesses came to an end . The atmosphere in court was now quite stifling , feverish fatigue flushed every face , and a kind of ruddy dust obscured the waning light which fell from the windows . Women were fanning themselves and men were mopping their foreheads . However , the passion roused by the scene still brought a glow of cruel delight to every eye .