a
quarter past five
`` Well , if Mrs. Irving says so , '' she began , and they all knew it was settled . `` Have dinner early , will you ? '' Roy urged , taking out his watch . `` It is a quarter past five now . Can you be ready to start by six ? '' `` Oh , long before , '' Mollie assured him , rising hurriedly , and starting toward the house , while the others followed her example . Then after a whispered consultation with the girls at the door , she turned and threw the boys a merry glance .