a quarter past nine
It is some distance up the harbour to the landing place , and they would hardly have taken the trouble to go ashore , unless they meant to stay a couple of hours . `` What time is it now , Bob ? '' Bob opened his watch case , and felt the hands . `` It is just a quarter past nine . '' `` Well , we will move at ten , '' Joe said . The three-quarters of an hour passed very slowly , and Bob consulted his watch several times , before the minute hand got to twelve . `` Ten o'clock , '' he said , at last .