Five minutes to eight
` Is it ? ' said Jack , apparently unconscious of the fact . ` What 's the hour ? ' ` Five minutes to eight , ' replied Jawleyford , looking at a timepiece . When Jack got into his own den he threw himself into an old invalid chair , and sat rubbing the fractured spectacles together as if he thought they would unite by friction , though in reality he was endeavouring to run the overnight 's proceedings through his mind . The more he thought of Amelia 's winning ways , the more satisfied he was that he had made an impression , and then the more vexed he was at having his spectacles broken : for though he considered himself very presentable without them , still he could not but feel that they were a desirable addition . Then , too , he had a splitting headache ; and finding that breakfast was not till ten and might be a good deal later , all things considered , he determined to be off and follow up his success under more favourable auspices .