twenty-five minutes to ten
You rang him up and an appointment was fixed for this morning at half-past nine , and I was told to call on you shortly after nine . '' He paused , and once more his eyes dwelt in turn upon each of us . They returned to Tearle . `` It is now twenty-five minutes to ten , '' he said . His face had become redder , and his voice louder . `` And I understood that Sir Peverly is a very busy man . '' `` He certainly is busy , '' said Tearle .