a quarter to four
Mr. Twist , though the house was not , as we have seen , quite as sober , quite as restrained in its effect as he had intended , was obliged to admit that it did look very pretty . And so did the Annas . Especially the Annas . They looked so pretty in the sea-blue frocks and little Dutch caps and big muslin aprons that he took off his spectacles and cleaned them carefully so as to have a thoroughly uninterrupted view ; and as they stood at a quarter to four gazing round the room , he stood gazing at them , and when they said `` It 's _ perfect _ , '' he said , indicating them with his thumb , `` Same here , '' and then they all laughed for they were all very happy , and Mrs. Bilton , arrayed exactly as Mr. Twist had pictured her when he engaged her in handsome black , her white hair beautifully brushed and neat , crossed over to the Annas and gave each of them a hearty kiss -- for luck , she said -- which Mr. Twist watched with an odd feeling of jealousy . `` I 'd like to do that , '' he thought , filled with a sudden desire to hug . Then he said it out loud . `` I 'd like to do that , '' he said boldly .