five minutes to eleven
Twice , a messenger brought some small order from the executive officer . Yet it was a dull watch , with the ship docked and nothing of importance happening . `` Cantor will soon be back , '' thought Dave , at last , slipping out his watch and glancing at it under the light that came from the cabin . His timepiece showed the time to be five minutes to eleven . But a quarter of an hour passed , and no Lieutenant Cantor appeared . More time slipped by without the lieutenant 's return . `` That does n't sound much like the punctuality that is required of a naval officer , '' Dave told himself , in some disquiet .