a quarter to nine
Maggie felt this to be deeply ironical and flushed . `` I 'm quite well , thank you , '' she said stiffly . `` What time is breakfast on Sundays ? '' `` The prayer-bell rings at a quarter to nine , miss . '' They exchanged no more conversation . At a quarter to nine a shrill , jangling bell rang out and Maggie hurried down the dark staircase . She did not know where the dining-room was , but by good chance she caught sight of Aunt Elizabeth 's little body moving hurriedly down the passage and hastened after her .