a quarter to one
When the others found out where he was going , several of them asked him to bring back a drink for them , and then someone suggested that all those who wanted some beer should give twopence each . This was done : one shilling and fourpence was collected and given to Philpot , who was to bring back a gallon of beer in a jar . He promised to get back as soon as ever he could , and some of the shareholders decided not to drink any tea with their dinners , but to wait for the beer , although they knew that it would be nearly time to resume work before he could get back . It would be a quarter to one at the very earliest . The minutes dragged slowly by , and after a while the only man on the job who had a watch began to lose his temper and refused to answer any more inquiries concerning the time . So presently Bert was sent up to the top of the house to look at a church clock which was visible therefrom , and when he came down he reported that it was ten minutes to one . Symptoms of anxiety now began to manifest themselves amongst the shareholders , several of whom went down to the main road to see if Philpot was yet in sight , but each returned with the same report -- they could see nothing of him .