a quarter past seven
So _ that _ was as late as he had stayed -- a quarter after seven ? He was ready now to rage at any taunt , and began to eat in haughty silence . He was still eating when his grandfather and Allan left the table , and then he began to feel a little grateful that they had not noticed or asked annoying questions , or tried to be funny or anything . Over a final dish of plum preserves and an imposing segment of marble cake he relented so far as to tell Clytie something of his adventures -- especially since she had said that the big hall-clock was very likely slow -- that it must surely be a lot later than a quarter past seven . The circumstances had combined to produce a narrative not entirely perspicuous -- the two clear points being that They do everything in a whisper , and that Clytie ought to get rid of Penny at once , since he could not be depended upon at great moments . As to ever sleeping under a tree , Clytie discouraged him . She knew of some Boys that once sat under a tree which was struck by lightning , all being Killed save one , who had the rare good luck to be the son of a Presbyterian clergyman .