five minutes to nine
I am very sorry , Sylvia . '' And as she poured out the tea , he continued : `` I will speak pretty sharply to Barstow . It 's altogether too bad . '' Garratt Skinner breakfasted with an eye on the clock , and as soon as the hands pointed to five minutes to nine , he rose from the table . `` I must be off -- business , my dear . '' He came round the table to her and gently laid a hand upon her shoulder . `` It makes a great difference , Sylvia , to have a daughter , fresh and young and pretty , sitting opposite to me at the breakfast table -- a very great difference .