about twenty minutes to twelve
He rose from his desk , approached Mr. Cæsar , and extended his hand with a belated `` Good morning , sir . '' Poor Mr. Cæsar , in the kindliness of his heart , was touched by Doe 's graceful action , and grasped the proffered hand , saying : `` Good morning , Doe . '' By this time the whole class was arranged in a tolerably straight line behind Doe , and waiting to go through the ceremony of shaking hands . Work commenced at about twenty minutes to twelve , and , when twelve should come , we were to render , according to programme , `` God Save the King , '' with some delicate humming . For want of something better to do , I wrote a clause of the exercise set . Mr. Cæsar 's back was now turned and he was studying a wall-map . `` Shall I ? ''