a quarter to two
They 'll do all right . '' Fay was discreet enough not to mention her project to Iva or Nesta , in case , being hostel monitresses , they might have felt bound to offer conscientious objections . Members of the Fourth and Third forms , however , jumped at the idea of an impromptu fancy-dress parade , and the moment they were released from the dining-room they tore off to array themselves . It was already a quarter to two , and school would begin again at 2.30 , so there was no time to be lost if the thing was to be done at all . `` I give every one a quarter of an hour to dress ! '' declared Fay . `` You 've got to be on the lawn when the clock strikes two .