four minutes to eight
You do not know where he is ? No one has seen him -- the young English lieutenant who was to meet me here ? '' said the General , knitting his white eyebrows . `` That is strange ; but never mind '' -- and he drew out his watch -- `` it still wants four minutes to eight . '' Leaning his elbow on the side of the automobile with one foot planted on the step , the great Frenchman waited , talking meanwhile with a Divisional General who had something to report . `` Yes , yes , '' said the Generalissimo , and then he looked at his watch again . The minute hand pointed to the hour , but Sir Douglas Haig 's messenger had not come !