I know the ways of you boys.

Well, what's the time ?" "It was twenty-five past ten." "I didn't ask you what it was--I want to know what it is." It then occurred to me for the first time that Mr Evans was a humourist.

It seemed to me a feeble joke, but he evidently thought it a good one, as did also the other clerks to whom he communicated it.
The worst of it was that the more I tried to explain that, not having a watch of my own, I could not answer for the time by the market clock at any moment but that at which I saw it, the more they seemed to be amused.

Some suggested I should go back with a bag and bring the time in it.

Others, that I should put it on ten minutes, and then come back, so as to arrive at the exact moment it was when I left it.