a quarter to eight
`` The doctor has n't come down yet , '' said the servant . `` He will not see patients before nine o'clock . '' `` At what time does he come down ? '' `` At a quarter to eight . '' `` It 's half-past seven now , '' said Millard . `` Kindly take this note to his room with my card , and say that I wait for an answer . '' There was that in Millard 's manner that impressed the servant .