a quarter to eight
Think of our lovemaking ... '' The front door banged . He had some idea of resuming their talk . But his was a scattered mind now . `` It 's a quarter to eight , '' he said as if in explanation . `` I must see to the supper , '' said Lady Ella . There was an air of tension at supper as though the whole family felt that momentous words impended . But Phoebe had emerged victorious from her mathematical struggle , and she seemed to eat with better appetite than she had shown for some time .