a brainteasing riddle

The column marching in double file, the instructor commands: […]

Huh! He has just saved his ticket then. Knew to the minute, he did, when she was to cast off — asked me yesterday, he did. What the mischief does he mean by this Jack Shalloo trick? And at a time like this!

The others could tell stories, play stick frog or such quiet games, but there was to be no noise to disturb the wonderful speaking going on upstairs for the betterment of Wayne County schools.