ten
minutes to twelve
A quarter to twelve . He heard chimes ring somewhere . If the message did not come before they rang again , it would be for ever too late . Fourteen minutes -- thirteen minutes -- twelve minutes -- eleven minutes -- ten minutes to twelve , and yet , no -- ` Here you are ! ' shouted the operator in great glee , ` she 's a-coming -- it 's all right -- `` John Kenyon , Ottawa . '' ' Then he wrote as rapidly as the machine ticked out the message . ` There it is ; now rush ! '