ten minutes to nine
Never mind the expense . '' She was late to luncheon , and therefore missed Patience , but toward the close of the afternoon they met , and Kathleen took her into her confidence . All evening the two girls remained in the living room listening intently for the ring of the bell that might mean an answer to Kathleen 's urgent message . At ten minutes to nine Kathleen said wearily . `` It 's too late to hear to-night . The telegraph office closes at nine o'clock . The answer will come in the morning .