a quarter to
six o'clock
He telephoned Ilse for information , but she was not at home . Twice he called at Palla 's house , leaving a message the last time that she should telephone him at the club on her arrival . He went to the club and waited there , trying to read . At a quarter to six o'clock no message from her had come . Again he telephoned Ilse ; she had not returned . He even telephoned to Marya , loath to disturb her ; but she , also , was not at home . The chances that he could break the news to Palla before she read it in the evening paper were becoming negligible .