Twenty minutes to six
Ruth lit the gas ; and as she stood with upturned eyes adjusting the burner , her mother noticed that the heaviness had departed from her face . She sank into a rocker and took up the evening paper . `` What time is it , Ruth ? '' `` Twenty minutes to six , '' she answered , glancing at the clock . `` As late as that ? '' She meant to say , `` And Louis not home yet ? '' but forbore to mention his name .