five minutes to four
Bradshaw , having picked up the thread of his story again , emitted hoarse chuckles like minute guns , until I very nearly rose and fell upon him . It is maddening to listen to a person laughing and not to know the joke . ` You will be allowed two hours for this paper , ' said Mellish on the following afternoon , as he returned to his desk after distributing the Thucydides questions . ` At five minutes to four I shall begin to collect your papers , but those who wish may go on till ten past . Write only on one side of the paper , and put your names in the top right-hand corner . Marks will be given for neatness . Any boy whom I see looking at his neighbour 's -- _ where 's Bradshaw ?