a quarter to ten
I do n't see how I can stand it waiting nearly a whole hour ; but then there are a hundred other questions I 'm burning to ask you . '' Time passed while they sat there in Thad 's room and talked . Hugh was compelled to relate every little incident over again , and amidst all sorts of comments on the part of the other . Finally Hugh said it was now a quarter to ten , and that they might as well be starting out , which they proceeded to do most eagerly indeed . `` Do n't forget for a minute , '' cautioned Hugh , as they started on their way toward the humble cottage home of Matilda and her husband , `` that Brother Lu asked us to act quite natural when we came along . '' `` I 'm on , '' responded Thad , though it was only with the greatest difficulty that he seemed able to repress the glow in his eyes that told of secret joy . `` He means by that , you are to ask Matilda whether she 's ready for another batch of sewing stuff that both of our mothers have ready , which I happen to know is the case .