a quarter to three
`` I am not tired and I am not sleepy , '' she thought . `` Must I sit here all the afternoon waiting for the others to wake ? '' She glanced at her watch . `` Only a quarter to three . Why ca n't I take a walk ? It 's against the rules as laid down by papa for women members , but that was only a joke anyhow and I sha n't go far . '' Billie chose a trail they often took after supper for the reason that it was brought to an early finish by the bed of a creek dry in summer , though probably a brave stream in the spring after the thaws .