five minutes to ten
Our boys put in a requisition for apricot so that you could see them better , but it did n't come off . '' After tea they smoked and talked over things , especially the new divisions that were marching up in a never-ending stream , and the huge shell stores at the artillery dumps , which had struck Dan Dunn very forcibly as his battalion passed them . And then Bob , having duties to attend to , went away in the gathering dusk , and they hung a ground sheet over the door and lit a candle , and Dan , with his huge arms behind his head , told in his quiet drawl of Quinn 's Post and Lone Pine , and had hard things to say about the Higher Command , to all of which Dennis listened , enthralled , with his elbows on his knees . At five minutes to ten by the wristlet watch there came a cough from the other side of the ground sheet , and Dan picked himself up . `` Right-o , Hawke ! '' called Dennis , with a glance at the watch . `` Here 's a spare revolver for you , Dan , or would you rather have a rifle ? ''