four in the afternoon
`` You will understand , sir , that I came supposing I was to appear in my official capacity . We were invited upon that basis . There was to have been a dinner , was there not -- or am I mistaken of the hour ? Is it not four in the afternoon ? '' `` You were quite right , Mr. Minister , '' said Meriwether Lewis . `` You shall , of course , be presented to the President so soon as it shall please his convenience to join us . He has been occupied in many duties , and begs you will excuse him . ''