a quarter past seven
They were to dine at seven . He dressed early and went into their sitting-room . He was afraid he would spoil his pleasure of complete surprise by catching a glimpse of the _ grande toilette _ before it was finished . At a quarter past seven Susan put her head into the sitting-room -- only her head . At sight of his anxious face , his tense manner , she burst out laughing . It seemed , and was , grotesque that one so imperturbable of surface should be so upset . `` Can you stand the strain another quarter of an hour ? ''