quarter
to ten
`` And now , '' said Arthur , `` I have realized one of the dearest wishes of my life -- to see you two together . '' And then he led away the talk to their home in Devonshire , and the red , bright earth , and the deep green combes , and the peat streams like cairngorm pebbles , and the wild moor with its high , cloudy tors for a giant background to the picture , till Tom got jealous , and stood up for the clear chalk streams , and the emerald water meadows and great elms and willows of the dear old royal county , as he gloried to call it . And the mother sat on quiet and loving , rejoicing in their life . The quarter to ten struck , and the bell rang for bed , before they had well begun their talk , as it seemed . Then Tom rose with a sigh to go . `` Shall I see you in the morning , Geordie ? '' said he , as he shook his friend 's hand .