ten minutes to nine
`` Yes , certainly , I 'll get up at once . Have I kept you waiting , Abbie ? '' `` Oh no , not at all ; generally we breakfast at nine , but mother gave orders last night to delay until half-past nine this morning . '' Ester turned to the little clock in great amazement ; it was actually ten minutes to nine ! What an idea ! She never remembered sleeping so late in her life before . Why , at home the work in the dining-room and kitchen must all be done by this time , and Sadie was probably making beds .