a quarter to nine
`` Your friend Prothero does not observe the rule of punctuality . '' `` If they wo n't turn up in time , '' said Henry , `` I should dine without them . '' They did dine ultimately . Prothero turned up at a quarter to nine , entering with the joint . Laura was not with him . Laura could n't , he said , `` get off . '' He was innocent and unconscious of offence .