a
quarter to four
Where the hell have you got to now ? Lay aft and trim the binnacle ! '' I mounted the poop ladder , muttering the usual excuse about having been to see the side-lights . I trimmed the lamps , and as it was then a quarter to four , struck one bell and called the watch . As I waited on the poop to strike the hour , the men were turning out forward , and I could hear the voice of the eldest apprentice chiding the laggards in the half-deck . I thought of Duncan , and of what Welsh John had told me . `` Aye , aye , that was Duncan .