Twenty minutes past eight
He had not yet been into the house ; his bedroom now being the room you have heard of , the scene of Dr. West 's lost prescription . The doctor had gone by the six o'clock train , after a cordial farewell to Jan ; he had gone -- as it was soon to turn out -- without having previously informed his daughters . But of this Jan knew nothing . `` Twenty minutes past eight , '' quoth Jan , consulting his watch , a silver one , the size of a turnip . Jan had bought it when he was poor : had given about two pounds for it , second-hand . It never occurred to Jan to buy a better one while that legacy of his was lying idle . Why should he ?