twenty-two minutes after five
I had paths enough between the rows of corn and potatoes to make a journey of three miles and half a furlong , with two rods more , if I went through the whole of them . So at half-past four on this fatal afternoon I bade my mother good-by , and kissed her . I told her I should not be back for two hours , because I was going to inspect my empire , and I set out happily . But in less than an hour -- I can see the face of the clock now : it was twenty-two minutes after five -- I flung myself in my chair , panting for breath , and , as my mother said , as pale as if I had seen a ghost . But I told her it was worse than that . I had come out from between two high rows of corn , which wholly covered me , upon a little patch which lay warm to the south and west , where I had some melons a-ripening , and was just lifting one of the melons , to be sure that the under surface did not rot , when close behind it I saw the print of a man 's foot , which was very plain to be seen in the soft soil . I stood like one thunderstruck , or as if I had seen an apparition .