twenty-five minutes to twelve
I was just balancing whether I should run for it , or whether I should perch behind her landau , when a cab came through the street . The driver looked twice at such a shabby fare ; but I jumped in before he could object . ` The Church of St. Monica , ' said I , ` and half a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes . ' It was twenty-five minutes to twelve , and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind . `` My cabby drove fast . I do n't think I ever drove faster , but the others were there before us . The cab and landau with their steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived .