two minutes to seven
`` Me and Perry got out and around the corner all right . I never much expected to get out , but I was n't going to be intimidated by that married man . According to Perry 's idea , checkers was the event of the day , but if I am any judge of gentle recreations that little table-leg parade through the Gray Mule saloon deserved the head-lines in the bill of particulars . '' ` Walk fast , ' says Perry , ` it 's two minutes to seven , and I got to be home by -- ' '' ` Oh , shut up , ' says I. ` I had an appointment as chief performer at an inquest at seven , and I 'm not kicking about not keeping it . ' `` I had to pass by Perry 's little house . His Mariana was standing at the gate . We got there at five minutes past seven .