nine o’clock in
the evening
he would say , with a sugary expression ; and as though to prove his words he would screw up his eyes and , raising his finger , would pronounce ` Anthropos ! ' `` And Byelikov tried to hide his thoughts also in a case . The only things that were clear to his mind were government circulars and newspaper articles in which something was forbidden . When some proclamation prohibited the boys from going out in the streets after nine o'clock in the evening , or some article declared carnal love unlawful , it was to his mind clear and definite ; it was forbidden , and that was enough . For him there was always a doubtful element , something vague and not fully expressed , in any sanction or permission . When a dramatic club or a reading-room or a tea-shop was licensed in the town , he would shake his head and say softly : `` It is all right , of course ; it is all very nice , but I hope it wo n't lead to anything ! '' `` Every sort of breach of order , deviation or departure from rule , depressed him , though one would have thought it was no business of his .