twenty minutes to three
There was a splash of red ink on it . It made my blood boil with virtuous indignation to watch him , and I coughed and hemmed again and again to attract his attention , for his back was nearly towards me . He heard me perfectly , but took no notice whatever , the deceitful little beast . He was to have given up _ Monte Cristo _ to me at half-past two , and here it was twenty minutes to three ! Besides which , it was _ my Monte Cristo _ , bought with my own small savings , and smuggled into school by me at great risk to myself . `` Maurice ! '' said M. Bonzig .