five minutes to eight before
`` Do n't stay there all night , Geoff ! '' Eric cried , banging on the door . `` It 's a quarter to eight now . '' It was five minutes to eight before the bathroom , sloppy and filled with steam , was surrendered to him . No man could have a hot bath and dress in five minutes ; he was particularly anxious to appear at his best for the meeting with Agnes ... . And the water was tepid ... `` I have been apologizing for you , '' said Lady Lane pointedly , as Eric hurried late and ill-humoured into the drawing-room .