a quarter to twelve
At which straightforward and unlooked-for reply there were great cheers and counter-cheers , in the midst of which the scared little Radical was hustled down from his perch and sent flying to join his friends , and calm the fluttering of his poor little heart . It being evidently unsafe to remain longer in the Quadrangle , the dejected trio betook themselves with many misgivings , to their house . Westover 's presented a striking contrast to the quiet scene of yesterday evening . It being still a quarter to twelve , and term not being supposed to commence till mid-day , the short interval of freedom from school rules was being made use of to the best advantage . The matron , shouted at and besieged on all sides , already stood at bay , with her hands to her ears , having abandoned any attempt to do anything for anybody . The house porter was in a similar condition of strike . He had once been knocked completely over by rival claimants on his assistance , and he had several times been nearly pulled limb from limb by disappointed employers .