a quarter to eight
`` I never know what I mean in my telegrams -- especially those I send from America . Clearness is too expensive . Come down to your father . '' `` It 's not yet a quarter to eight , '' said Ralph . `` I must allow for his impatience , '' Mrs. Touchett answered . Ralph knew what to think of his father 's impatience ; but , making no rejoinder , he offered his mother his arm . This put it in his power , as they descended together , to stop her a moment on the middle landing of the staircase -- the broad , low , wide-armed staircase of time-blackened oak which was one of the most striking features of Gardencourt .