twenty-five minutes to ten
What with rain and Land League . I wonder why we live here ! Did you notice the time , Alice , as we left the hotel ? ' ` Yes , mamma ; it was twenty-five minutes to ten . ' ` Oh ! we are very late ; we sha n't be there before ten . The thing to do is to get there about half-past nine ; the Drawing-Room does n't begin before eleven ; but if you can get into the first lot you can stand at the entrance of Patrick 's Hall .