a
quarter to seven
He shivered . `` They had got into my head too much ; my ears sang like the roaring of the sea , and I thought my feet were frozen on to an iceberg : then came darkness , and sea monsters , and drowning -- it was too horrid ! '' and his face expressed all , and more than all , he said . `` But ` tis a quarter to seven -- we must go , '' said he , with a long yawn , and rubbing his eyes . `` You are sure they are right , Ethel ? Harry , come along . '' Ethel thought those verses ought to make a sensation , but all that came of them was a Quam optime , and when she asked Norman if no special notice had been taken of them , he said , in his languid way , `` No ; only Dr. Hoxton said they were better than usual . ''