a quarter to eleven
In the midst of such luxury , and under the eye of a well-paid butler , M. Godefroy could only eat a couple of boiled eggs and nibble a little mutton chop . The man of money trifled with dessert -- took only a crumb of Roquefort -- not more than two cents ' worth . Then the door opened and an overdressed but charming little child -- young Raoul , four years old -- the son of the company director , entered the room , accompanied by his German nursery governess . This event occurred every day at the same hour -- a quarter to eleven , precisely , while the carriage which was to take the banker to the Bourse was awaiting the gentleman who had only a quarter of an hour to give to paternal sentiment . It was not that he did not love his son . He did love him -- nay , he adored him , in his own particular way . But then , you know , business _ is _ business .