a quarter to ten
`` Huh ! guess I might as well , '' grunted the other , as though convinced . `` Besides , it 's getting on toward eleven , I reckon , and I really ought to be thinking of starting my baking . '' `` You 're away off this time , Steve , '' laughed Jack , who had a little nickle watch along with him , though he seldom carried it on his person , `` because right now it is only a quarter to ten . '' `` Oh ! what a long day this promises to be , '' groaned Steve . `` Ca n't beat yesterday in my opinion , '' claimed Toby .