A quarter to eight
he called out to her . Since the day on which the young assistant arrived in Gromowo , the old Black Forest clock hanging at the doctor 's bedside , and whose rattling alarum had often unpleasantly jarred upon his morning slumbers , was no longer wound up . `` So that I know that my life too henceforth stands still , '' as he was wont to say . `` A quarter to eight , doctor , '' the old woman answered , beginning meanwhile to busy herself about the stove . `` For shame ! for shame ! '' cried he , raising himself up , `` what a lazybones I am getting to be !