ten minutes past six
Even little Helen had her plate and her card . It would be her first appearance at a regular dinner-party . The guests were not punctual . At ten minutes past six , even my father , who was the most particular of men in such things , had not made his appearance . I waited five , ten , fifteen , twenty minutes more , and became exceedingly nervous . The head-waiter came in and asked if my friends understood the time that had been set . The dinner would be spoiled if it were kept much longer .