a quarter to eight
It was only when she had not returned at a quarter to eight , that the maid who waited upon her and her mother told Mrs. Clinton that she was not in her room . `` Where on earth can she be ? '' exclaimed Mrs. Clinton . Punctuality at meals being so rigidly observed it was unprecedented that Cicely should not have begun to dress at a quarter to eight . At ten minutes to eight Mrs. Clinton was convinced that some accident had befallen her . At five minutes to , she tapped at the door of the Squire 's dressing-room . `` Edward , '' she called , `` Cicely has not come home yet . ''