ten minutes to nine
But Pennington Durkin was making too much noise on his instrument to hear the remonstrances at first , and it was not until some impatient neighbour sallied forth and pounded frantically at the portal of Number 13 that the wailing ceased . Then , `` What is it ? '' asked Durkin mildly . `` It 's only ten minutes to nine , Penny . Your clock 's fast again . Shut up or we 'll kill you ! '' `` Oh ! ''