a quarter to nine
o’clock
It was from this truck that the night of heavy toil derived its name : and for the last week the students who had got behindhand with their work , through taking up petty paid jobs outside , had been repeating the cry , ` Oh ! I 'm in the truck and no mistake . ' The moment the vehicle appeared , a clamour arose . It was a quarter to nine o'clock , there was barely time to reach the School of Arts . However , a helter-skelter rush emptied the studio ; each brought out his chases , amidst a general jostling ; those who obstinately wished to give their designs a last finishing touch were knocked about and carried away with their comrades . In less than five minutes every frame was piled upon the truck , and the two bearded fellows , the most recent additions to the studio , harnessed themselves to it like cattle and drew it along with all their strength , the others vociferating , and pushing from behind . It was like the rush of a sluice ; the three courtyards were crossed amidst a torrential crash , and the street was invaded , flooded by the howling throng .