a quarter after three
He took down and exhibited his wares one by one . Barbara asked numberless questions concerning each and chattered like a red squirrel . Her mother showed such a genuine interest in his work and was so pleasant and quiet and friendly , was , in short , such a marked contrast to Mrs. George Powless , that he found himself actually beginning to enjoy the visit . Usually he was glad when summer folks finished their looking and buying and went away ; but now , when Mrs. Armstrong glanced at the clock on the shelf , he was secretly glad that that clock had not gone for over four months and had providentially stopped going at a quarter after three . He took them into the inner shop , his workroom , and showed them the band saw and the lathe and the rest of his manufacturing outfit . Barbara asked if he lived there all alone and he said he did . `` I live out there , '' he explained , pointing toward the shop extension .