a quarter to five
Now I must draw up a report about last night . I 'll come for that cup of tea to Minors -- might almost as well have been Majors , even granting the military flavor -- about five . '' Malling took his departure . At a quarter to five he heard the click of the garden gate , and looking out at the latticed window of the hall , he saw the professor walking sidewise up the path , with a shawl round his shoulders . He went to let him in , and took him into the tiny drawing-room . `` An odd shell for Harding ! '' observed the professor .