About three o'clock
And so ran the controversy , not always good-natured . When at length the march was ended and the Porta Pompae received back the procession , Ben-Hur knew he had his prayer . The eyes of the East were upon his contest with Messala . About three o'clock , speaking in modern style , the program was concluded except the chariot-race . The editor , wisely considerate of the comfort of the people , chose that time for a recess . At once the vomitoria were thrown open , and all who could hastened to the portico outside where the restaurateurs had their quarters . Those who remained yawned , talked , gossiped , consulted their tablets , and , all distinctions else forgotten , merged into but two classes -- the winners , who were happy , and the losers , who were grum and captious .