a quarter to ten
When he reached Plattville the road would be better , and besides , he might find a chance to get a drink of warm coffee or tea , if the eating-house were open at such an hour . Cheered by this thought , he set his teeth together , resolved to stick it out to the end . But Frank was not apt to forget that ride in a hurry . It was now a quarter to ten . He found this out by striking a match and looking at his watch , the moon having retired once more behind the clouds . But Frank was under the impression that he must be close to the town now . `` I believe I remember that windmill on the left , and the big water tank on the hill .