twenty minutes before seven
This last reflection naturally conducted her into the wash-house , where she stumbled upon the brewing utensils , among which she might have wandered for an hour , if the mere mention of those implements had not , by an association of ideas , instantly reminded Mr. Pyke that he was ` amazing thirsty . ' ` And I 'll tell you what , ' said Mr. Pyke ; ` if you 'll send round to the public-house for a pot of milk half-and-half , positively and actually I 'll drink it . ' And positively and actually Mr. Pyke DID drink it , and Mr. Pluck helped him , while Mrs. Nickleby looked on in divided admiration of the condescension of the two , and the aptitude with which they accommodated themselves to the pewter-pot ; in explanation of which seeming marvel it may be here observed , that gentlemen who , like Messrs Pyke and Pluck , live upon their wits -LRB- or not so much , perhaps , upon the presence of their own wits as upon the absence of wits in other people -RRB- are occasionally reduced to very narrow shifts and straits , and are at such periods accustomed to regale themselves in a very simple and primitive manner . ` At twenty minutes before seven , then , ' said Mr. Pyke , rising , ` the coach will be here . One more look -- one little look -- at that sweet face . Ah ! here it is .