a
quarter before six
`` You 're smart dis mornin ' , missis , '' she said , speaking from the middle of the stairway . `` I did n't ` spect you 'd git ahead o ' me , and de sun hardly showin ' his face ` bove de hill-tops yit . '' `` I woke early , Phillis , as I always do when something 's going to happen that I expect . Simon make haste to feed and water your horses and be sure you have old Joan in the carriage and at the gate by a quarter before six . '' `` Am I to drive her to the depot , ma'am ? '' `` No , Miss Lottie Prince will do that , and you are to take the one-horse wagon for the trunks . Did you go to Mr. Laugh 's and engage it , as I told you yesterday ? ''