three o'clock
They recognized their wives and mothers in those serene faces , and manhood forbids that you should hoot at your own blood-and-bone kin womenfolk . So they changed the subject . They began to talk , a perfect hurricane of inconsequential comments on every imaginable subject except the subject of women and their rights . Promptly at three o'clock Judge Regis came through a side door upon the rostrum , accompanied by Susan Walton and Selah Adams . The women took their places in two empty chairs among those at the back ; the Judge approached the table in the middle of the rostrum , stood for a moment , a tall and elegant figure , looking out over the sea of faces below him . Then , lifting the gavel , he rapped for order . `` Ladies and gentlemen , '' he began in slow , distinct tones , `` I have the honour and privilege of opening the most remarkable meeting ever held in this county or state .