four
to five in the afternoon
As a matter of fact , there was nothing to worry about , in Timber Town ; no ragged beggars , no yelling hawkers , no sad-eyed , care-worn people , no thought for to-morrow . The chimneys smoked for breakfast regularly at eight o'clock every morning ; the play of living began at nine , when the smiling folk met in the streets and turned , the men into their offices to play at business , the women into the shops where meat and good things to eat were to be had for little more than love . Between twelve and two o'clock everybody went home to dinner , and the cabs which stood in front of the wooden Post Office , and dogs which slept on the pavement beneath the verandahs , held possession of the streets . But if anyone would see the beauty and fashion of Timber Town , from four to five in the afternoon was the hour . Then wives and daughters , having finished playing at house-keeping for the day , put on their gayest costumes , and visited the milliners . Southern Cross Street buzzed with gaudy life ; pretty women bowed , and polite men raised their hats -- just as people do in real cities -- but , as everybody knew everybody else , the bowing and hat-raising were general , just as they are when the leading lady comes into the presence of the chorus on the stage . Then the vision of gossiping , smiling humanity would pass away -- the shops put up their shutters at six o'clock ; the game was over for the day , and all the chimneys smoked for tea .