A quarter before eight
It was getting painful . I spoke , and the sound of my own voice quite startled me , yet was my remark as harmless and commonplace as well could be . `` John , '' said I , `` what time do we dine ? '' `` A quarter before eight , I believe , '' answered John , quite good-humouredly , and as if nothing had happened to estrange us . `` Dear me , Kate , how early you 're dressed ! '' I could have cried with vexation ; but I resolved , if possible , to find a sore place somewhere , and give him `` one '' before I had done with him ; so I made a saucy face , and asked him , half laughing , whether `` he did n't think I had driven them very well from the station ? '' `` Inimitably , Kate , '' was his reply ; `` I had n't the least idea you were so accomplished a charioteer . ''