a
quarter to twelve
And the three knelt down together . It was nearly midday when Tom awoke . The church bells had ceased ringing for nearly an hour , indeed at nearly all the churches the congregations were being dismissed . The Town Hall clock chimed a quarter to twelve , but all else seemed strangely silent . Tom rose in his bed , and rubbed his eyes . `` Where am I ? '' he gasped ; `` this is -- this is -- ay , where am I ?