five minutes to eleven
At eleven o'clock , Amedee was to go up to the switchboard in the vestibule and turn off the electric lights , and every boy would have a chance to kiss his sweetheart before Father Duchesne could find his way up the stairs to turn the current on again . The only difficulty was the candle in Marie 's tent ; perhaps , as Emil had no sweetheart , he would oblige the boys by blowing out the candle . Emil said he would undertake to do that . At five minutes to eleven he sauntered up to Marie 's booth , and the French boys dispersed to find their girls . He leaned over the card-table and gave himself up to looking at her . `` Do you think you could tell my fortune ? '' he murmured .