a quarter to eight
Also she could explain about the dinner ; and , hastily gathering up her papers , she sent out the customary `` salaam . '' `` Oh , Mrs Desmond , I _ do _ hope I am not disturbing you . '' Miss Kresney came forward with a rather too effusive warmth of manner . `` But you forgot to mention if you dine at a quarter to eight or a quarter past ; and I was not certain if you meant us to dress or not . '' Miss Kresney would probably have been amazed could she have seen these two Englishwomen dining together . `` Why , yes , '' Evelyn answered simply , `` we always dress in the evening , Honor and I. But -- please do n't think me very rude -- I 'm afraid I must ask you and your brother to put off coming till -- some other night . I was just going to send you a note ; because Honor is -- not at all well .