ten minutes to eight
As the mass of letters began to diminish in bulk the snake began to feel uncomfortably exposed . At the same time Miss Lillycrop , with that wicked delight in evil prophecy which is peculiar to mankind , began to feel comfortably exultant . `` You see I was right ! '' she said to her guide , glancing at the clock , which now indicated ten minutes to eight ; `` the confusion is almost as great as ever . '' `` We shall see , '' replied Mr Bright , quietly , as he led the way back to the gallery . From this point it could be seen , even by unpractised eyes , that , although the confusion of letters all over the place was still considerable , there were huge gaps on the sorting-tables everywhere , while the facing-tables were of course empty . There was a push and energy also which had not prevailed at first .