five minutes to nine
He thought he would go to Littleports . Then he must answer Simon Nicholaevich 's letter ; but there was time enough for that . Getting up with an air of resolution , he took out his watch . It was already five minutes to nine . He put his watch into his waistcoat pocket , and his purse -- with all that was left of the hundred and eighty roubles he had taken for his journey , and for the incidental expenses of his fortnight 's stay with his cousin -- and then he placed into his trouser pocket his cigarette-case and electric cigarette-lighter , and two clean handkerchiefs into his coat pockets , and went out of the room , leaving as usual the mess and confusion which he had made to be cleared up by Stephen , an old man of over fifty . Stephen expected Volgin to `` remunerate '' him , as he said , being so accustomed to the work that he did not feel the slightest repugnance for it . Glancing at a mirror , and feeling satisfied with his appearance , Volgin went into the dining-room .