midday
At the same time the oppression was lifted from the respiratory apparatus , and everybody breathed freely once more , and felt courage returning with each respiration . The whole great city seemed to utter a vast sigh of relief . And then its voice was heard , as it had never been heard before , rising higher and louder every moment . It was the first time that morning had ever broken at midday . The streets became filled , with magical quickness , by hundreds of thousands , who chattered , and shouted , and laughed , and shook hands , and asked questions , and told their experiences , and demanded if anybody had ever heard of such a thing before , and wondered what it could have been , and what it meant , and whether it would come back again . Telephones of all kinds were kept constantly busy . Women called up their friends , and talked hysterically ; men called up their associates and partners , and tried to talk business .