five minutes to nine
Not a shutter was down ! not a bus was about ! There were three men in sight , one of whom was a policeman ; a market-cart full of cabbages , and a dilapidated looking cab . George pulled out his watch and looked at it : it was five minutes to nine ! He stood still and counted his pulse . He stooped down and felt his legs . Then , with his watch still in his hand , he went up to the policeman , and asked him if he knew what the time was .