five minutes to five
`` Miss Heger , '' he cried , and his voice was tense with emotion , `` how can I , how are we ever going to thank you for what you have done for us today ? '' The girl 's radiant smile flashed up at him . `` Be my friend , '' she said simply , and , as the lad stood there looking deep into those wonderful dark eyes , he seemed to feel that no greater privilege could be accorded him than to be permitted to be the friend of this courageous , rarely beautiful mountain girl . But she did not give him the opportunity to voice his feeling , for at once she said in a matter-of-fact tone : `` Was n't I lucky to reach the county court-house at five minutes to five ? Pal and I have been congratulating each other all the way home . '' `` Poor Pal ! '' Dan stroked the drooping head of the faithful little animal which had raced down the rough mountain road as he had never raced before .