a quarter to eight o’clock
But Nelly is like the moon -- the moon , bless her -- '' At that thought Davy had leaped to his feet , in disgust of his own simplicity . `` I 'm a fool , '' he had muttered , `` a reg ' lar ould bleating billygoat ; talking pieces of poethry to myself , like a stupid , gawky Tommy Big Eyes . '' He had looked at his watch . It was a quarter to eight o'clock . Unconsciously he had begun to walk toward Castle Mona . `` I 'm not for misdoubting my wife , not me ; but then a man may be over certain . I 'll find out for myself ; and if it 's true , if she 's there , if she meets him ... .