a quarter to two
But with the majority , who had breakfasted before eight , it was different . Kavanagh came in ready dressed for the walk , and expressed impatience at Strachan being still in uniform . `` I have got to pay my company , '' explained Strachan ; `` but I shall do it directly the dinners are over , and then it wo n't take me five minutes to change . '' And he was as good as his word , for by a quarter to two he was ready to start . It was a fine afternoon and a pretty walk ; round the end of the Long Valley by Cocked Hat Wood , skirting the steeple-chase course ; through shady lanes to the wild furze-clad common land ; up the sides of the hill range , where the old Roman encampments can still be clearly traced . `` This one looks precious modern , '' said Harry , doubtfully . `` Oh , the engineers may have been digging about a bit .