a quarter to twelve
she said , and then the horrible striking ceased , and we heard little Nora Bailey across the Hall excitedly claiming that the clock had struck thirteen . `` I counted most carefully , '' she was insisting . `` I ca n't think why that man does n't come , '' Mrs. Sturton repeated in a raised voice , as if she wanted to still the superstitious qualms that Miss Bailey had started . `` I told him to come round at a quarter to twelve , so that there should n't be any mistake . It 's very tiresome . '' She paused on that and Jervaise was inspired to the statement that the fly came from the Royal Oak , did n't it , a fact that Mrs. Sturton had already affirmed more than once . `` What makes it rather embarrassing for the dear Jervaises , '' Miss Tattersall confided to me , `` is that the other things are n't ordered till one -- the Atkinsons ' ` bus , you know , and the rest of 'em .