five minutes to twelve
-LSB- Illustration : `` THE FALCON 'S NEST . '' -RSB- It wanted but five minutes to twelve in Miss Fitch 's schoolroom , and a general restlessness showed that her scholars were aware of the fact . Some of the girls had closed their books , and were putting their desks to rights , with a good deal of unnecessary fuss , keeping an eye on the clock meanwhile . The boys wore the air of dogs who see their master coming to untie them ; they jumped and quivered , making the benches squeak and rattle , and shifted their feet about on the uncarpeted floor , producing sounds of the kind most trying to a nervous teacher . A general expectation prevailed .