five minutes to eight
For a moment I gazed at her ... . Then I kissed the red , red lips . So we comforted one another . * * * * * The unexpected arrival of the laundry van at five minutes to eight , with , amongst other things , a month 's table-linen , had pardonably dislocated the service of dinner . Whilst the table was being relaid we spent the time in the library , gathered about the violet-tongued comfort of a chestnut-root fire . `` You know , '' said Jonah , looking up from an armchair , `` if we do n't -- Good Heavens ! '' His exclamation was so violent that we all jumped .