five minutes to four
He set out at a few minutes after three ; arrived at twenty minutes to four . As experience of her ways had taught him that she was much less friendly when he disobeyed her requests , he did not dare go to the house , but , after looking at it from a corner two blocks away , made a detour that would use up some of the time he had to waste . And as he wandered he indulged in his usual alternations between self-derision and passion . He appeared at the house at five minutes to four . Patrick , who with Molly his wife looked after the domestic affairs , was at the front gate gazing down the street in the direction from which he always came . At sight of him Pat came running . Norman quickened his pace , and every part of his nervous system was in turmoil .