about four o'clock
There was another peculiarity -- this a modern one -- which Shaston appeared to owe to its site . It was the resting-place and headquarters of the proprietors of wandering vans , shows , shooting-galleries , and other itinerant concerns , whose business lay largely at fairs and markets . As strange wild birds are seen assembled on some lofty promontory , meditatively pausing for longer flights , or to return by the course they followed thither , so here , in this cliff-town , stood in stultified silence the yellow and green caravans bearing names not local , as if surprised by a change in the landscape so violent as to hinder their further progress ; and here they usually remained all the winter till they turned to seek again their old tracks in the following spring . It was to this breezy and whimsical spot that Jude ascended from the nearest station for the first time in his life about four o'clock one afternoon , and entering on the summit of the peak after a toilsome climb , passed the first houses of the aerial town ; and drew towards the school-house . The hour was too early ; the pupils were still in school , humming small , like a swarm of gnats ; and he withdrew a few steps along Abbey Walk , whence he regarded the spot which fate had made the home of all he loved best in the world . In front of the schools , which were extensive and stone-built , grew two enormous beeches with smooth mouse-coloured trunks , as such trees will only grow on chalk uplands . Within the mullioned and transomed windows he could see the black , brown , and flaxen crowns of the scholars over the sills , and to pass the time away he walked down to the level terrace where the abbey gardens once had spread , his heart throbbing in spite of him .