twenty minutes to five
They explained breathlessly that they were sorry for being late . I reassured them . `` So far from being late , '' I said `` you 're twenty minutes too early . I 'm delighted to see you , but it 's only twenty minutes to five . '' `` There now , Hilda , '' said Lalage , `` I told you that your old chronometer had most likely darted on again . I should have had lots and lots of time to do my hair . Hilda 's watch , '' she explained to me , `` was left to her in her grandmother 's will , so of course it goes too fast .