five minutes to eight
It was a dream-like moment . Then I slipped over the river 's bank , into the water , and the swift current , catching me up and whirling me around dizzily , carried me toward the edge of the waterfall . And So to Work I glanced at the clock on the mantel . It was five minutes to eight : time to leave , if I was to get a decent breakfast before I went to the office . I found an old hat in the closet and put it on . It would do until I had time to buy another . Last night -- and this morning .