twenty-two minutes past two
He now called in a gentleman who was recommended to him as the most celebrated practitioner in all Vraibleusia . The most celebrated practitioner listened with great attention to every particular that his patient had to state , but never condescended to open his own mouth . Popanilla was delighted , and revenged himself for the irritability of the eminent physician . After two more visits , the most celebrated practitioner told Popanilla that his disorder was ` unquestionably nervous ; ' that he had over-excited himself by talking too much ; that in future he must count five between each word he uttered , never ask any questions , and avoid society ; that is , never stay at an evening party on any consideration later than twenty-two minutes past two , and never be induced by any persuasion to dine out more than once on the same day . The most celebrated practitioner added that he had only to observe these regulations , and that he would speedily recover his energy . Popanilla never asked a question for a whole week , and Skindeep never knew him more delightful . He not only counted five , but ten , between every word he uttered ; and determining that his cure should not be delayed , whenever he had nobody to speak to he continued counting .