quarter past ten
Charlotte went back to the door and rang the bell ; then , as nobody appeared , she explored the lower part of the house for Mrs. Fields in vain . Returning , she caught sight for the first time of a little memorandum on the doctor 's desk : '' _ Out . Return 10:30 A.M. _ '' She glanced at the clock . It was exactly quarter past ten . She studied her brother 's face anxiously . The stain upon the cloth was rapidly growing larger . She was sure he ought not to lie there with the bleeding unchecked .