a quarter to four
`` Albert -- hotel , '' directed Mrs. Ridding . And Mr. Ridding , clutching the leaflet , his face congested with suppressed emotions , obediently handed on the order through the speaking-tube to the chauffeur . `` It 's _ perfect _ , '' said the twins , looking round the tea-room . This was next day , at a quarter to four . They had been looking round saying it was perfect at intervals since the morning . Each time they finished getting another of the little tables ready , each time they brought in and set down another bowl of flowers they stood back and gazed a moment in silence , and then said with one voice , `` It 's _ perfect _ . '' Mr. Twist , though the house was not , as we have seen , quite as sober , quite as restrained in its effect as he had intended , was obliged to admit that it did look very pretty .