five minutes to one
He was sorry for that , because it troubled him to think that a sick man would not be made well ; but , on the whole , looking at it from every aspect , it would be best to get the scarab as soon as possible and leave Mr. Peters ' digestion to look after itself . Being twenty-six and an optimist , he had no suspicion that Fate might be playing with him ; that Fate might have unpleasant surprises in store ; that Fate even now was preparing to smite him in his hour of joy with that powerful weapon , the Efficient Baxter . He looked at his watch . It was five minutes to one . He had no idea whether they kept early hours at Blandings Castle or not , but he deemed it prudent to give the household another hour in which to settle down . After which he would just trot down and collect the scarab . The novel he had brought down with him from London fortunately proved interesting .