a quarter to eleven
To make up , if possible , for the disappointment , he showed them all over the church and sacristy ; he did not miss one memorial tablet , not one disappearing fresco , and knowing the taste of the English , he said , as each new item was displayed : `` Molto , _ molto _ antiquo . '' He was so much attracted by Evelyn 's charming middle-aged beauty and her sweet English voice that when Santa Barbara 's was exhausted , he could not resist showing them , what he cared for much more , his own little brand-new mission church , with its brilliant rosy-cheeked images and artificial wreaths . The boys , fifteen and seventeen , had had enough of churches after two days at Milan , and Evelyn could hear from Herbert 's conscientious , stumping tread that he was examining the church because a soldier must always do his duty . At length it was over ; they came out into the sunshine , and the big town clock struck a quarter to eleven . Their train home left at 5.30 . The two churches had only used up an hour and a quarter . `` Now , dearest , '' said Herbert firmly , `` I dare say you and Etta will like a little rest .