a quarter after eight
Silvey yawned listlessly . `` Breakfast time , ai n't it ? '' he asked . John 's watch showed a quarter after eight . Slowly they reeled in the dripping lines , freed the hooks from all traces of water-soaked bait , and dismounted their rods . As they left the lake shore , the sun 's rays became oppressive with heat . The air had lost the cool , fresh fragrance of early morning , and hinted of soot-producing factories and unsavory slaughter houses .