a quarter to eight
The thing that woke her out of a sort of daze as she trudged along toward her room in the unrelenting rain was a pleasurable smell of fried onions ; whereupon she realized that she was legitimately and magnificently hungry . In any other condition , the dingy little lunch-room she presently turned into , would hardly have invited her . But the spots on the frayed starchy table-cloth , the streakiness of the glasses , the necessity of polishing knife and fork upon her damp napkin , could n't prevent her doing ample justice to a small thick platter of ham and eggs , and a plate of thicker wheat-cakes . It occurred to her as she finished , that a quarter to eight probably meant the hour at which the rehearsal was to begin . She 'd have to be back at the hail at least fifteen minutes earlier , in order to be dressed and ready . She had no time to waste ; would even have to hurry a little . She did n't try to explore for the reason why this discovery pleased her so much .