five minutes to four
I s 'll tell nobody . '' `` Oh , but if it does , whatever shall we do ? ... '' The Christening The mistress of the British School stepped down from her school gate , and instead of turning to the left as usual , she turned to the right . Two women who were hastening home to scramble their husbands ' dinners together -- it was five minutes to four -- stopped to look at her . They stood gazing after her for a moment ; then they glanced at each other with a woman 's little grimace . To be sure , the retreating figure was ridiculous : small and thin , with a black straw hat , and a rusty cashmere dress hanging full all round the skirt . For so small and frail and rusty a creature to sail with slow , deliberate stride was also absurd .