a quarter to
three
Some workmen were repairing a main water-pipe , and a heap of earth dried by the sun threw up clouds of dust in the hot breath of the wind . The stairway of the Trinità gleamed white and deserted . Slowly , slowly , Andrea went up , standing still every two or three steps , as if he were dragging a terrible weight after him . He went into his rooms and threw himself on his bed , where he remained till a quarter to three . At a quarter to three he got up and went out . He turned into the Via Sistina , on through the Via Quattro Fontane , passed the Palazzo Barberini and stopped before a book-stall to wait for three o'clock . The bookseller , a little wrinkled , dried-up old man , like a decrepit tortoise , offered him books , taking down his choicest volumes one by one , and spreading them out under his eyes , speaking all the time in an insufferable nasal monotone .