ten minutes to nine
What is the time now ? '' he asked . She went to the partition door , opened it and peeped into her father 's room . `` Just ten minutes to nine , '' she said ; `` father will have gone by the time you come back . '' `` That 'll be as well , wo n't it ? '' he concluded , as he finally turned to go . `` If you are not in the tap-room when I come back , what shall I do with the key ? ''