a quarter to nine
I 'm going to drop the road , and start a saloon in a little town I know about . I 'm tired of being kicked around . '' Boston Harry took from his pocket a cheap silver watch , and held it near the fire . `` It 's a quarter to nine , '' he said . `` Pete , you and Blinky start . Go down the road past the house , and fire the cane in a dozen places . Then strike for the levee , and come back on it , instead of the road , so you wo n't meet anybody .