a quarter before eight
`` Come , Athenian , draw it mild , '' said Maxwell . `` We did , indeed . I wonder whether they 'll pay me their share of the fly . I had to leave Onslow Crescent at a quarter before eight , and I did three hours ' work before I started . '' `` Then you did it by candle-light , '' said Grindley . `` Of course I did ; and why should n't I ? Do you suppose no one can work by candle-light except a lawyer ?