ten minutes to ten
But about tea and tea-parties I shall have more to say hereafter . I must hurry on to my first picnic , where I made my first public appearance as the Bashful Man . I made a neat toilet -- a fresh , light summer suit that I flattered myself beat any other set of clothes in Babbletown -- ordered Joe , our chore-boy , to bring the buggy around in good order , with everything shining ; and when he had done so , had the horse tied in front of the store . `` Come , my boy , '' said father , after a while , `` it 's ten minutes to ten . Never keep the ladies waiting . '' `` Yes , sir ; as soon as I 've put these raisins away . '' `` Five minutes to ten , John .