ten minutes past ten
Their wives went back into business , and they drifted apart . '' With a baffled expression Remsen stared at the uneven shoulders under the skin-fitting alpaca desk coat as his bookkeeper went out . He had meant to do something for Percy , but somehow , he reflected , one never did do anything for a fellow who had been stung as hard as that . _ Century _ , May 1916 _ Ardessa _ The grand-mannered old man who sat at a desk in the reception-room of `` The Outcry '' offices to receive visitors and incidentally to keep the time-book of the employees , looked up as Miss Devine entered at ten minutes past ten and condescendingly wished him good morning . He bowed profoundly as she minced past his desk , and with an indifferent air took her course down the corridor that led to the editorial offices . Mechanically he opened the flat , black book at his elbow and placed his finger on D , running his eye along the line of figures after the name Devine . `` It 's banker 's hours she keeps , indeed , '' he muttered .