twenty minutes to three
These poor people had sold everything , even their stove , and since the setting in of winter had spent their days and nights alike without a fire . At the close of December they had been four days without food . Helene gave vent to a cry of compassion . The hands of the clock now marked twenty minutes to three . Monsieur Rambaud devoted another two minutes to his farewell : `` Well , I depend on you , '' he said . And stooping to kiss Jeanne , he added : `` Good-bye , my darling . '' `` Good-bye ; do n't worry ; mamma wo n't forget .