a quarter past nine o'clock
Anton asked himself as he turned toward his door . `` Surely not a visitor ? '' Lighting his lamp , he looked at the cuckoo clock upon the wall . It said a quarter past nine o'clock ; he had not heard the cuckoo strike seven , eight , or nine ! `` Phew ! '' he whistled , `` I had no idea it was so late . '' Again the timid little knock .