fifteen minutes past twelve
For the first time in months she found herself looking forward to the noon hour . She glanced at her watch at eleven-thirty , at eleven-forty-five , and again at five minutes before twelve . To-day she reserved a seat for him in the little lunch-room . But at fifteen minutes past twelve , when Don usually strode in the door , he had not come . At twenty minutes past he had not come . If he did not come in another five minutes she resolved to make no further effort to keep his place -- either to-day or at any future time . At first she was irritated ; then she was worried .