A quarter to three
run a long pole , pointed with iron , through Wilford 's jugular . Now , I consider mine much the most philosophical way of doing the trick ; in fact , conducting a dodge of this kind always affords me intense satisfaction , and puts me into the highest possible spirits . Have you ever seen the war dance , in which the Hotto-potto-cum-from-the-wash-ki Indians usually indulge before they set out on an expedition ? -- A quarter to three , '' he continued , pulling out his watch , `` the coach to London passes in five minutes , I sha n't have time to show it you -- it begins so . '' Thus saying , he flung himself into a perfectly indescribable attitude , and commenced a series of evolutions , more nearly resembling the contortions of a dancing bear , than any other Terpsichorean exhibition with which I was acquainted . Having continued this until he had made himself very ~ 209 ~ ~ unnecessarily hot , he wound up the performance by flinging a summerset , in doing which he overturned himself and the coal-scuttle into a box of deeds ; whereby becoming embarrassed , he experienced much difficulty in getting right end upwards again . `` There , '' he exclaimed , throwing himself into an arm-chair commonly occupied by his father 's portly form -- `` There !