a quarter to ten
You working men ought to have the sense to form a party of your own . '' It was Northway , addressing a cluster of mill-hands , and evidently posing as one of a superior class who deigned to give them disinterested advice . She listened for a minute longer , but heard nothing that could excite her alarm . When she reached the house it was a quarter to ten . This part of the town lay in obscurity and quietness ; not a shout sounded in her hearing . Mr. Quarrier had not been at home since early in the afternoon . `` He must be found at once , '' said Mrs. Wade , adding quickly , `` I suppose Mrs. Quarrier has n't come ? ''