fourteen minutes to nine
After an interval a waiter slackly approached him . ` Brandy-and-soda ! ' Henry ordered , well knowing that brandy-and-soda never suited him . He glanced away from the clock , repeated ` Punch , brothers , punch with care , ' twenty times , recited ` God save the Queen , ' took six small sips at the brandy-and-soda , and then looked at the clock again , and it was only fourteen minutes to nine . He had guessed it might be fourteen minutes to ten . He caught the eye of a barmaid , and she seemed to be saying to him sternly : ` If you think you can occupy this place all night on a ninepenny drink , you are mistaken . Either you ought to order another or hook it . '