a quarter to four
Five minutes later Jonah announced that he was going to Ranelagh , and inquired whether any one wanted a round of golf . Berry accepted the invitation , and they left together . The arrival of Fitch with the car at half-past three reminded my sister that she was going to call upon some one in Regent 's Park , and she withdrew in a state of profound depression . Jill , who was on the very brink of tears , refused to leave her post until a quarter to four , and , when that hour arrived , slow-treading but coalless , it was only my promise to take her to see Charlie Chaplin forthwith that could coax the ghost of a smile to play about her lips . As I closed the front-door behind us , a neighbouring clock struck four . Moodily we walked down the street , talking of cinemas and thinking of coal . Had our thoughts been otherwise employed , the condition of the pavement outside a house about a hundred and twenty yards down on the opposite side would have recalled them pellmell to our disappointment .