a quarter to six
At any rate , he would take the air after tea in Deadman 's Lane , and if there he should meet -- oh ! how he wondered what his fortune would be ! Tea was a feverish meal for Bilk that evening . He spoke to no one , and ate very little ; and as the hand of the clock worked round to a quarter to six he began to feel distinctly that a crisis in his life was approaching . He was glad neither Dell nor Morgan , whose studies probably kept them in their study , were at tea . They were such fellows for worrying him , and just now he wanted to be in peace . The meal was over at last , and the boys rushed off to enjoy their short liberty before the hour of preparation .