ten minutes
before three
She sat beside Teddie Wilson in philosophy , much to the annoyance of that unhappy young person , and added insult to injury by trying to discuss the play . Teddie was as unresponsive as she thought consistent with the duty of being lady-like , but Jean did n't seem to mind , for she went off to lunch smiling a satisfied , triumphant little smile that seemed to say she had gotten just what she wanted out of Teddie . At two o'clock Mr. Masters and Miss Kingston met the play committee in Miss Kingston 's office , and the Shylock trials began . At ten minutes before three the great Mr. Masters appeared in the door of the office and tossing a careless `` Back at four-thirty sharp '' over his shoulder , ran down the stairs as lightly as though he were not leaving riot and ruin behind him . A minute later Barbara Gordon came to the door and explained to the Portias who were waiting to come on at three , that it had been found necessary to delay their appearance until evening . Barbara always looked calm and unruffled under the most trying circumstances , but she shut the door unnecessarily hard and the Portias exchanged amazed glances . `` Something 's happened , '' declared Babe , sagely . ''