a quarter to one o’clock
Several times , and in several different tones , and always with an expression of the greatest satisfaction , did he read out that sentence , which expressed his predominant thought at the moment . Then he set us to learn a lesson in history , and sat down near the window . His face did not look so depressed now , but , on the contrary , expressed eloquently the satisfaction of a man who had avenged himself for an injury dealt him . By this time it was a quarter to one o'clock , but Karl Ivanitch never thought of releasing us . He merely set us a new lesson to learn . My fatigue and hunger were increasing in equal proportions , so that I eagerly followed every sign of the approach of luncheon . First came the housemaid with a cloth to wipe the plates .