a quarter
past two
Certainly this operation of _ taking up a stitch _ , as I am instructed to call it , is one of the slowest operations in nature ; or , rather , one of the most tedious and teazing manoeuvres of art . Though the most willing and the most dexterous fingers that ever touched a needle were employed in my service , I thought the work would never be finished . At last , I was _ hosed _ and shod , and out we set . It struck a quarter past two as we left the house ; we came to Mr. Croft 's in the middle of dinner . He had a large company at table ; every body was disturbed ; my Lucy was a stranger to Mrs. Croft , and was to be introduced ; and nothing could be more awkward and embarrassing than our _ entrée _ and introduction . There were such compliments and apologies , such changing of places , such shuffling of chairs , and running about of servants , that I thought we should never be seated . In the midst of the bustle my little chap began to roar most horribly , and to struggle to get away from a black servant , who was helping him up on his chair .