a quarter to twelve
I think I 'll go home . '' It was still raining when Maida got up the next day . It rained all the morning . She listened carefully at a quarter to twelve for the one-session bell but it did not ring . Just before school began in the afternoon Rosie came into the shop . Maida saw at once that something had happened to her . Rosie 's face looked strange and she dragged across the room instead of pattering with her usual quick , light step .