Ten minutes past nine
The foreman smiles , and puts up his watch : -- `` Well , gentlemen , what do we say , plaintiff or defendant , gentlemen ? I rather think , so far as I am concerned , gentlemen , -- I say , I rather think -- but do n't let that influence you -- I _ rather _ think the plaintiff 's the man . '' Upon this , two or three other men are sure to say that they think so too -- as of course they do ; and then they get on very unanimously and comfortably . Ten minutes past nine ! ' said the little man , looking at his watch . ` Time we were off , my dear sir ; breach of promise trial-court is generally full in such cases . You had better ring for a coach , my dear sir , or we shall be rather late . '