seven o'clock
He drove rather more slowly than was his custom , and so missed Marion 's invitation to get there before the crowd . Three cars before the house showed that she already had callers , and indeed when the parlor-maid opened the door a burst of laughter greeted him . The Hayden house was a general rendezvous . There were usually , by seven o'clock , whiskey-and-soda glasses and tea-cups on most of the furniture , and half-smoked cigarets on everything that would hold them , including the piano . Marion herself met him in the hall , and led him past the drawing-room door . `` There are people in every room who want to be left alone , '' she volunteered . `` I kept the library as long as I could .