five minutes past twelve
It was twelve o'clock before he arrived . Nevertheless he wore a smile of placid ease of mind . His little wife had only to walk from the Plaza , it was true , but he knew , although a newly married man , that to be half an hour late was to be ten minutes early . At exactly five minutes past twelve he saw her turn off the Avenue , and as he strolled along to meet her , charmed and delighted by her daintiness , proud and happy at his possession of her , he did a thing that all wise and tactful husbands do -- he forced back an irresistible desire to be humorous at her expense and so won an entry of approval from the Recording Angel . If they had both been punctual they would have seen Martin go off in his car to drive the girl who had had no luck to the trees and the wild flowers and the good green earth . Joan 's mother , all agog to see the young couple who had taken life into their own hands with the sublime faith of youth , had made it her first duty to call , however awkward and unusual the hour . Her choice of hats in which to do so had been a matter of the utmost importance .