about a quarter before one
`` Oh , '' he said , `` I 'm willing enough he should stay , if -- '' `` Well , I 'm not , '' said Pete , and put an end to the conversation by walking out of the room . He found David explaining the filing system to Mathilde , and she , hanging on his every word , partly on account of his native charm , partly on account of her own interest in anything neat , but most because she imagined the knowledge might some day make her a more serviceable wife to Pete . Pete dreaded the coming interview with Mrs. Farron more than that with the firm -- more , indeed , than he had ever dreaded anything . He and Mathilde reached the house about a quarter before one , and Adelaide was not in . This was fortunate , for while they waited they discovered a difference of intention . Mathilde saw no reason for mentioning the fact that they had actually been on the point of taking out their marriage license . She thought it was enough to tell her mother that the trip had been abandoned and that Pete had given up his job .