five minutes to nine
So she went to bed . She was up in time , and watching the clock . It was a grey morning , but not raining . At five minutes to nine , she hurried off to Mrs. Rollings . In the back yard the bicycles were out , glittering and muddy according to their owners . Ciccio was crouching mending a tire , crouching balanced on his toes , near the earth . He turned like a quick-eared animal glancing up as she approached , but did not rise .