five minutes to six
Turning from this point George Aspel observed that the box for letters -- closing , as we have said , half an hour later than that for books and papers -- was beginning to show symptoms of activity . At a quarter to six the long metal slit suddenly opened up like a gaping mouth , into which a harlequin could have leaped easily . Through it Aspel could look -- over the heads of the public -- and see the officials inside dragging away great baskets full of letters to be manipulated in the mysterious realms inside . At five minutes to six the rush towards this mouth was incessant , and the operations at the newspaper-tomb were pretty much repeated , though , of course , the contents of bags and baskets were not quite so ponderous . At one side of the mouth stood an official in a red coat , at the other a policeman . These assisted the public to empty their baskets and trays , gave information , sometimes advice , and kept people moving on . Little boys there , as elsewhere , had a strong tendency to skylark and gaze at the busy officials inside , to the obstruction of the way .