a quarter to
eight
`` I shall be back in ten minutes . '' He put on his greatcoat , and soon the sound of his steps was lost in the tower . `` True , '' murmured Durtal , consulting his watch . `` It 's a quarter to eight . '' There was a moment of silence in the room . As all refused to have any more dessert , Mme. Carhaix took up the tablecloth and spread an oilcloth in its place . The astrologer played with his rings , turning them about ; Durtal was rolling a pellet of crumbled bread between his fingers ; Des Hermies , leaning over to one side , pulled from his patch pocket his embossed Japanese pouch and made a cigarette .