ten minutes to one
Well , he had tried to talk to them , anyway , and by consulting his watch he found that half an hour had gone by . After his third cigarette -- he had come plentifully supplied -- he looked at his watch again . He could go at last ! It was ten minutes to one , and Nancy had probably finished long ago . `` Apparently this guy is n't coming today . I 've got to run along . Well , I 've enjoyed this talk a lot , '' and with an inclusive smile and wave of the hand he went .