a quarter to
seven
Through these -- extending away in far perspective , so that the busy workers in the distance became like miniature men -- could be seen rows on rows of facing and sorting-tables , covered , heaped up , and almost hidden , by the snows of the evening mail . Here the chaos of letters , books , papers , etcetera , was being reduced to order -- the whole under the superintendence of a watchful gentleman , on a raised platform in the centre , who took good care that England should not only _ expect _ , but also be _ assured _ , that every man and boy did his duty . Miss Lillycrop glanced at the clock opposite . It was a quarter to seven . `` Do you mean to tell me , '' she said , turning full on Mr Bright , and pointing downwards , `` that that ocean of letters will be gone , and these tables emptied by eight o'clock ? '' `` Indeed I do , ma'am ; and more than what you see there , for the district bags have not all come in yet . By eight o'clock these tables will be as bare as the palm of my hand . ''