twenty minutes past twelve
I 'm not going to decide in a hurry just to please you . '' Poor Patty thought Muriel would never finish her purchase . She examined book after book , till at length even her mother waxed impatient , and declared she could stay no longer . `` It is twenty minutes past twelve now , '' she said , `` and I have made an appointment at half-past to meet the superintendent of the Sunday School about the Scholars ' Christmas Tree . I should not like to keep him waiting , and I am afraid I shall be late as it is . You must choose at once , dear , and come . '' It took almost five minutes longer to secure the services of the assistant , who in the meantime had been attending to somebody else , and to wait while she wrapped the book in paper and fetched the change : so when at length Muriel was able to take her parcel , Mrs. Pearson was most anxious to start for home .