a quarter past three
she asked . `` I shall have my lunch sent in , '' he answered . `` Do n't hurry back , though . I shall not expect you till a quarter past three . '' It was a few minutes past that time when Miss Brown returned . Peter Ruff was sitting at his desk , looking as though he had never moved . He was absorbed by a book of patterns sent in by his new tailor , and he only glanced up when she entered the room .