twenty minutes past nine
And he did change it . He began to talk about certain difficulties in the choral parts of Havergal Brian 's _ Vision of Cleopatra _ , a work which he meant the Bursley Glee and Madrigal Club to perform though it should perish in the attempt . Growing excited , in his dry way , concerning the merits of this composition , he rose from his easy chair and went to search for it . Before doing so he looked at the clock , which indicated twenty minutes past nine . `` Am I all right for time ? '' asked Eva . `` Yes , you 're all right , '' said he .