five o'clock
The afternoon wore on in this way , under a grey sky that shed a dreary light over the enclosure . `` Are they going to spend the night here ? '' I asked , in a bored voice . But , at five o'clock or so , the fat gentleman in the soiled jacket-suit took out his watch . The others did the same and all , watch in hand , seemed to be anxiously awaiting an event of no little importance to themselves . The event did not take place , for , in fifteen or twenty minutes , the fat gentleman gave a gesture of despair , stood up and put on his hat . Then lamentations broke forth .