a quarter past five precisely
`` It 's a longish run , and we sha n't get there before dark . '' `` Oh , '' says she , `` they do n't expect me until quite late ; indeed , I do n't think Lord Badington himself returns before the last train from town . '' I noticed that she laid a lot of stress upon the words , `` Lord Badington , '' for the benefit of the hotel porters , no doubt ; but I was n't angry with her for that , remembering that she was a single woman , and perhaps unprotected ; and without any more words we set out across Westminster Bridge , and were very soon picking our way down the Old Kent Road . A couple of hours later we came to Maidstone , where we had tea ; it was a quarter past five precisely when we made a new start for Canterbury , and a good hour and a half later when we entered that musty old town . I shall never forget that journey , the country just showing the buds of spring , the roads white and beautiful , the twenty Renault running as smooth as a beautiful clock . Three months had passed since I had driven Miss Dolly , and this was the month of May . Yet here she was , just the same wicked little witch as ever , trotting round on a wild errand , and about to come out best , I could swear .