a quarter to five
As to the invitation for to-morrow , that seemed to me a burst of glory quite past my present comprehension , and I resolved to treasure it as a secret in my own bosom until at least I had made sure it was not a dream . Before then , however , I had less pleasant work on hand . My comrades did not fail to remind me several times during the afternoon of my `` promise , '' as they called it , to distribute the Conversation Club circulars in Great Hall , and adjured me not to run it too fine . The consequence was that , at a quarter to five , I was convoyed , with the bundle of papers under my arm , to the door of the dining-hall , and gently shoved inside , with all retreat cut off until my task was done . Some of the servants who were laying the tables objected to my presence , but on my explaining I had been sent to do it , they allowed me without interruption to lay a copy of the precious document on each of the five hundred plates . I had barely concluded this arduous duty when the bell commenced to ring , and the fellows in twos and threes began to drop in . It was all I could do to affect unconsciousness , as from a modest retreat near the door I marked the effect of the announcement on Low Heath generally .