five minutes to three exactly
`` Do what you like , my child -- I sha n't be in till five . Do n't let him be bored , that 's all , or he 'll go back to town -- the one thing Micky can not stand is being bored . '' Esther made a little grimace . She felt nervous when at five minutes to three exactly she walked down the winding road to the station . June ought to have come herself , she argued ; it was a most silly thing to send her -- she hoped he would not come at all ; but all the time she was listening for the sound of a car or a motor-horn . The sleepy-eyed factotum of the station walked up and stared at her curiously . After a few turns he ventured to ask if she wanted to go by train .