ten minutes to twelve
As they ran into Tilbury Station a train was standing at the departure platform . The General beckoned to a porter . `` Do you know if the _ Sutlej _ has sailed ? '' `` Yes , sir -- sailed at ten minutes to twelve . Might catch her at Southampton , sir , perhaps . There 's a good many people as well as you disappointed in this ` ere train . There 's another train back in three minutes . ''