I knew that the only total eclipse of the sun in the first half of the sixth century occurred on the 21st of June, A.D.528, O.S., and began at 3 minutes after 12 noon.

I also knew that no total eclipse of the sun was due in what to _me_ was the present year--i.e., 1879.
So, if I could keep my anxiety and curiosity from eating the heart out of me for forty-eight hours, I should then find out for certain whether this boy was telling me the truth or not.
Wherefore, being a practical Connecticut man, I now shoved this whole problem clear out of my mind till its appointed day and hour should come, in order that I might turn all my attention to the circumstances of the present moment, and be alert and ready to make the most out of them that could be made.

One thing at a time, is my motto--and just play that thing for all it is worth, even if it's only two pair and a jack.

I made up my mind to two things: if it was still the nineteenth century and I was among lunatics and couldn't get away, I would presently boss that asylum or know the reason why; and if, on the other hand, it was really the sixth century, all right, I didn't want any softer thing: I would boss the whole country inside of three months; for I judged I would have the start of the best-educated man in the kingdom by a matter of thirteen hundred years and upward.

I'm not a man to waste time after my mind's made up and there's work on hand; so I said to the page: "Now, Clarence, my boy--if that might happen to be your name -- I'll get you to post me up a little if you don't mind.