Late in the afternoon of a chilly day in February是不是很神奇?

Late in the afternoon of a chilly day in February
不是神奇是有错误！在具体的某一天下午用ON不用IN。应该改成：Late on the afternoon of a chilly day in February

确实神奇.
你说这句话是错的吗?
可这是一部小说
汤姆叔叔的小屋 Uncle Tom’s Cabin 的开头语呀.
2月寒冷的一天下午,
Late in the afternoon of a chilly day in February,two gentlemen were sitting alone over their wine,in a well-furnished dining parlor,in the town of P-in Kentucky.There were no servants present,and the gentlemen,with chairs closely approaching,seemed to be discussing some subject with great earnestness.