a quarter to twelve
`` I 'm Steve Bean , Betty 's brother , '' the boy replied as he stepped briskly into the cabin . `` My , that was a hard run ! '' he added . `` I left home jist a quarter to twelve an ' I do n't think I 've been over twenty minutes comin ' . '' `` Is it that late ? '' Jasper asked in surprise , as he drew forth his watch . `` Why , it 's half-past twelve !