a quarter to twelve
It took every ounce of nerve that Bubbles had at command to let his legs and body slip down into the cold and tragic current . It seemed certain that dead hands were reaching for him . But he screwed his courage up to the sticking point , and called to his acquaintance in the passage-mouth a whispered but nonchalant , `` S'long ! '' When Bubbles entered Blicker 's drug-store , the city clocks were striking a quarter to twelve , but the place was still brightly lighted , and at the soda-counter a young man was treating his flame to a glass of chocolate vanilla ice-cream . Bubbles marched to the prescription counter , and began to unwrap a bloody handkerchief from his left hand . Then he began to clear his throat . This brought Mr. Blicker from a region of mortar pestles , empty pill-boxes , and glass retorts .