five o'clock
Carver , my bill ! '' Bowing distantly he stalked out of the eating-house and back to the `` Criterion , '' where he dined . `` So much for a maiden attempt at economy ! '' Towards five o'clock he took his seat in an omnibus that plied between the city and the seaside suburb of St. Kilda , three miles off . A cool breeze went ; the hoofs of the horses beat a rataplan on the hard surface ; the great road , broad enough to make three of , was alive with smart gigs and trotters . St. Kilda was a group of white houses facing the Bay . Most were o ' weatherboard with brick chimneys ; but there were also a few of a more solid construction .