one minute to four
She stopped short , struck in revolt with a memory of the way he had looked at her once as she sat across the tea-table from him in the hotel reception-room . `` No , I could not endure that except as a last resort . If ever there were a time to use all my wits it is now -- to save Hugo Mallin , the one soldier who acted out the principles which I taught my children ! '' As it lacked one minute to four when Hedworth Westerling , chief of staff in name as well as power now , alighted from the gray automobile that turned in at the Galland drive , the chauffeur thought well enough of himself to forget the crush of supplies and ambulances that had delayed His Excellency 's car for at least ninety seconds in the main street of the town . Though His Excellency had not occupied his new headquarters as soon as he expected , this could have no influence on results . If he had lost fifty thousand men on the first two days and two hundred thousand since the war had begun , should he allow this to disturb his well-being of body or mind ? His well-being of body and mind meant the ultimate saving of lives .