midnight
I do hereby solemnly swear to be , for the rest of this day , the most unaccommodating young person in the whole world . But beware , Ruth Stuart ! The boomerang may return and strike you . Do n't dare request me to do you a favor until after the bells chime midnight , when I shall be released from my present idiotic vow . '' Mrs. Wilson 's afternoon teas were not like any others in Washington . They were not crowded affairs , where no one had a chance to talk , but small companies of guests especially selected by Mrs. Wilson for their congeniality . So Mrs. Wilson was regarded as one of the most popular hostesses at the Capital and distinguished people came to her entertainments who could not be persuaded to go anywhere else .