twenty minutes before five o'clock
`` Well , I 'll pick you up , then , on the stroke of five . '' As he left the room she went over to the window , and when he came out a little later , he turned upon the sidewalk to glance up at her and wave his hand . She was happy , perfectly happy , she told herself , as she looked eagerly after the last glimpse of his figure ; but even while she framed the thought into words , she was conscious that her heart throbbed high in disappointment and that her eyes were already blind with tears . When Adams sent up his card , at twenty minutes before five o'clock , she lingered a few moments before going downstairs in her motoring coat and veil . In response to her embarrassed excuses , he made only a casual expression of regret for the visit he had missed . `` It 's a fine afternoon -- just right for a run , '' he remarked , adding after a brief hesitation . `` It 's the proper thing , I suppose , to offer you congratulations , but I 'm a poor hand , as you know , at making pretty speeches .