about four o'clock
Although I had spent a considerable time in Francaria I had never before seen Durven . There was now no reason for hurrying on to Prisa , so I decided to spend a day there to look round . I had to report myself to the police , owing to the fact that I had arrived from Meccania , but my credentials proving perfectly satisfactory I was at liberty to go where I liked . It was about four o'clock when I stepped out of the police station , and as it was a bright September afternoon there was still time to walk about for some hours before dark . At first , for about an hour , I could hardly help feeling that I was dreaming . Here I was in the old familiar life of Europe again . The streets of the town seemed full of people , some sauntering about and gossiping with their friends , others shop-gazing , others carrying parcels containing their purchases , some making their way home from business , others standing in groups near the theatres .