Twenty-five minutes to eight
A sensible woman was surely required at Redlands and in the London house , especially as Sir Charles had been left guardian and trustee to a pretty little heiress . It had taken him a very short time to find out that the reputation for sound sense was , like most traditions , founded on a myth , and that if his wife 's vanity was only equalled by her egotism , her most remarkable characteristic was her excessive silliness . But she loved him , and he kept his discovery to himself . ` Twenty-five minutes to eight ! ' she exclaimed , holding out a little jewelled watch , as Sir Charles came in after his visit to Hyacinth . ` And we have a new cook , and I specially , _ most _ specially told her to have dinner ready punctually at half-past seven ! This world is indeed a place of trial ! '