five minutes past six
`` I have a Polish maid who speaks hardly any English , and I was talking to her . And now , my dear , I really must be going . What is the exact time ? '' It was five minutes past six . Dulcie pressed the electric button . `` Mrs. Stapleton 's car at once , '' she said , when the footman entered . A few minutes later Mrs. Stapleton 's long grey Rolls-Royce was gliding noiselessly down the avenue , over the snow , its tail lights fast disappearing into the darkness .