a quarter to ten
Mary said nothing , and from her silence you could not tell what she was thinking . The long day dragged on to prayer time . The burden of Essy hung heavy over the whole house . * * * * * That night , at a quarter to ten , fifteen minutes before prayer time , Gwenda came to her father in his study . `` Papa , '' she said , `` is it true that you 've sacked Essy at three days ' notice ? '' `` I have dismissed Essy , '' said the Vicar , `` for a sufficient reason . '' `` There 's no reason to turn her out before Christmas . ''