a quarter past eight
If they all like me , why should n't you ? '' Alice made no reply . Kathleen stood still for a moment ; then she glanced at the clock . It was a quarter past eight . She must be out of the house in a little over a quarter of an hour if she was to meet Ruth Craven at the White Cross Corner . She sat down to the table , helped herself to a piece of toast , and spread some butter on it . `` A cup of tea , please , Alice , '' she said .