quarter to eight
`` Well , '' said Mrs. Morel , `` as soon as you wish . He has finished school now . '' `` He would live in Bestwood ? '' `` Yes ; but he could be in -- at the station -- at quarter to eight . '' `` H 'm ! '' It ended by Paul 's being engaged as junior spiral clerk at eight shillings a week . The boy did not open his mouth to say another word , after having insisted that `` _ doigts _ '' meant `` fingers '' .