a quarter to
four
I really thought you meant it ; it will do no harm to anybody , and will only show that you 've got the old Huntingdon pluck and spirit in you . '' `` All right , '' said Walter , but not very cheerily ; `` I 'm booked now , and must make the best of it . How many are there who are going in for the trial , do you think ? '' `` We shall see , '' said Saunders , `` if we wait a bit ; it wants a quarter to four , still . '' Everything was then duly arranged for the contest . A mile 's course had been previously marked out , and a shooting-butt set up , and also two poles with a leaping-rod across them . As the hour approached , several young men respectably dressed came up , and among them a powerful and active-looking fellow whose appearance was hailed by a general shout of mirth .