a quarter to one
Now he would be standing flushed with victory , the bicycle firmly fixed between his legs . But his triumph would be short-lived . By a sudden , quick movement it would free itself , and , turning upon him , hit him sharply over the head with one of its handles . At a quarter to one , dirty and dishevelled , cut and breeding , he said : `` I think that will do ; '' and rose and wiped his brow . The bicycle looked as if it also had had enough of it . Which had received most punishment it would have been difficult to say . I took him into the back kitchen , where , so far as was possible without soda and proper tools , he cleaned himself , and sent him home .