a quarter to eight
`` She wrote to me , '' was the answer . `` I have it in black and white . There 's no getting out of that . '' `` It must be a quarter to eight ! '' Carrissima suggested . `` Seventeen minutes to , '' said Mark , taking out his watch . `` I hope no accident has happened , '' suggested Carrissima , and bringing forward a chair , he sat down close to her side .