a quarter to three
There , in a bed set slightly apart and near the house staff 's quarters , lay Josephine , a prey to a racking fever and breathing with difficulty . Exactly opposite her was the bed of an old woman who had been admitted that morning . Her face had almost entirely disappeared under voluminous bandages . As the ward clock struck a quarter to three , an attendant appeared and announced : `` In ten minutes visitors will be requested to leave . '' Two of the staff who had paced the ward since early in the day exchanged a smile . `` Here 's the end of the farce , '' remarked one ; `` Loupart is n't coming . '' `` He said three ; there are still thirteen minutes left , '' replied the other .