a quarter to six
There , after protestations of friendliness and helpfulness that were almost ardent , he mounted a little clumsily and rode off at an amiable pace , looking his best , making a leg with his riding gaiters , smiling and saluting , while Ann Veronica turned northward and so came to Micklechesil . There , in a little tea and sweet-stuff shop , she bought and consumed slowly and absent-mindedly the insufficient nourishment that is natural to her sex on such occasions . We left Miss Stanley with Ann Veronica 's fancy dress in her hands and her eyes directed to Ann Veronica 's pseudo-Turkish slippers . When Mr. Stanley came home at a quarter to six -- an earlier train by fifteen minutes than he affected -- his sister met him in the hall with a hushed expression . `` I 'm so glad you 're here , Peter , '' she said . `` She means to go . '' `` Go ! ''