twenty minutes to two in the afternoon
`` Oh , _ no _ ! '' said Billie . `` I 'm only too glad to be able to do this for you , father dear ! '' The fragment of a lobster-shell which had entered Mr. Bennett 's tongue at twenty minutes to two in the afternoon was still in occupation at half-past eleven that night , when that persecuted gentleman blew out his candle and endeavoured to compose himself for a night 's slumber . Its unconscious host had not yet been made aware of its presence . He had a vague feeling that the tip of his tongue felt a little sore , but his mind was too engrossed with the task of keeping a look-out for the preliminary symptoms of mumps to have leisure to bestow much attention on this phenomenon . The discomfort it caused was not sufficient to keep him awake , and presently he turned on his side and began to fill the room with a rhythmical snoring .