a quarter to eleven
It was a lovely voice , clear yet mellow , and Caroline , despite all her anger and wounded pride , felt obliged to answer civilly : `` Oh , I liked it all right , Miss Temple , thank you . '' The door closed ; there was a pause while Caroline 's high heels clacked faintly across the tiled floor of the hall , and then a sound burst forth like the sudden chattering of rooks when they are startled in their nests by a shot fired close at hand . `` Well , I never ! Coming in at a quarter to eleven and taking that attitude ! '' said Mrs. Bradford , in her heavy wheezy contralto . `` It 's the same in everything . The world 's upside down , '' jerked out Miss Ethel , flushed and tight-lipped .