a quarter to
     twelve o'clock
`` William Cream , sir . '' Pondering a moment , he began to write ; and , after some corrections , leaned back , and read aloud the following : `` AGREEMENT Between FRANK GOODMAN , Philanthropist , and Citizen of the World , and WILLIAM CREAM , Barber of the Mississippi steamer , Fidèle . `` The first hereby agrees to make good to the last any loss that may come from his trusting mankind , in the way of his vocation , for the residue of the present trip ; PROVIDED that William Cream keep out of sight , for the given term , his notification of NO TRUST , and by no other mode convey any , the least hint or intimation , tending to discourage men from soliciting trust from him , in the way of his vocation , for the time above specified ; but , on the contrary , he do , by all proper and reasonable words , gestures , manners , and looks , evince a perfect confidence in all men , especially strangers ; otherwise , this agreement to be void . `` Done , in good faith , this 1st day of April 18 -- , at a quarter to twelve o'clock , P. M. , in the shop of said William Cream , on board the said boat , Fidèle . '' `` There , barber ; will that do ? '' `` That will do , '' said the barber , `` only now put down your name . '' Both signatures being affixed , the question was started by the barber , who should have custody of the instrument ; which point , however , he settled for himself , by proposing that both should go together to the captain , and give the document into his hands -- the barber hinting that this would be a safe proceeding , because the captain was necessarily a party disinterested , and , what was more , could not , from the nature of the present case , make anything by a breach of trust .