five minutes past eight
`` What time did you leave there ? '' `` I left at eight , sir . '' `` Then if you got in just after eight , it is clear that you were not the boy , '' the squire said . `` If your mother tells me that you were in at five minutes past eight , that settles the question , as far as you are concerned . '' `` I did n't get in till half-past eight , sir , '' Reuben said . `` I walked about for a bit , after I came out from school , to try and get the stiffness out of my leg , so as to be able to come to work this morning . '' `` Was anyone with you , Reuben ?