eight minutes to six o'clock
Again and again Feehan urged the telephone girl to try to get a reply to the call for the mayor . Beads of sweat stood upon his face , as he begged her to try again and summoned the manager to his assistance . He glanced at his watch . It was eight minutes to six o'clock . `` I must get him , '' he told the telephone girl for the dozenth time . `` Sorry -- no one will answer , '' she said wearily . `` I 've tried -- wait a minute , there 's someone now . ''