a
quarter to eight
The end of the vision woke Clement with a sudden shock , and he opened his eyes upon the cold morning light , which seemed especially cold in this chamber at the Reindeer , where the paper on the walls was of the palest grey , and every curtain or drapery of a spotless white . Clement lost no time over his toilet . He looked at his watch while dressing , and found that it was between seven and eight . It wanted a quarter to eight when he left his room , and went to his mother 's door to inquire about Margaret . He knocked softly , but there was no answer ; then he tried the door , and finding it unlocked , opened it a few inches with a cautious hand , and listened to his mother 's regular breathing . `` She is asleep , poor soul , '' he thought . `` I wo n't disturb her , for she must want rest after sitting up half last night . ''