one minute before eight
She understood the situation perfectly in a minute and a half -- -LRB- she was a very shrewd woman who did not say much -RRB- -- but Jack was not content . He hovered about her room , fingering photographs and silver-handled brushes , explaining over and over again how important it was that Frank should be made to feel at his case , and that Fanny and Jill -- -LRB- who were just old enough to come to dinner in white high-necked frocks that came down to their very slender ankles , and thick pig-tails down their backs -RRB- -- must not be allowed to bother him . Mrs. Kirkby said , `` Yes , I understand , '' about a hundred and thirty times , and glanced at the clock . She stood with one finger on the electric button for at least five minutes before venturing to ring for her maid , and it was only that lady 's discreet tap at one minute before eight that finally got Jack out of the room . He looked in on Frank in the middle of his dressing , found to his relief that an oldish suit of dress-clothes fitted him quite decently , and then went to put on his own . He came down to the drawing-room seven minutes after the gong with his ears very red and his hair in a plume , to find Frank talking to his mother , and eyed by his sisters who were pretending to look at photographs , with all the ease in the world . But dinner itself was difficult .