a quarter after
ten
Now have another nice cup of coffee and git ! '' Under this derision Babbitt became more matter-of-fact . He drove to the office , tried to dictate letters , tried to telephone and , before the call was answered , forgot to whom he was telephoning . At a quarter after ten he returned home . As he left the down-town traffic and sped up the car , his face was as grimly creased as the mask of tragedy . His wife greeted him with surprise . `` Why did you come back , dear ?