five
minutes to nine
`` Do n't you see Deborah has led ? You are keeping the whole table waiting ! '' They began to play . Mr. Denner , who was facing the open door , could see the square hall , and the white stair-rail across the first landing , where with the moon and stars about its face , the clock stood ; it was just five minutes to nine . This made the lawyer nervous ; he played a low trump , in spite of the rector 's mutter of , `` Look out , Denner ! '' and thus lost the trick , which meant the rubber , so he threw down his cards in despair . He had scarcely finished explaining that he meant to play the king , but threw the knave by mistake , when Lois entered , followed by Sally with the big tray , which always carried exactly the same things : a little fat decanter , with a silver collar jingling about its neck , marked , Sherry , ' 39 ; a plate of ratifia cakes , and another of plum-cake for the rector 's especial delectation ; and a silver wire basket full of home-made candy for Mr. Dale , who had two weaknesses , candy and novels .