half past eight
His son added his own name . Colonel Harris , at his request , was given the best apartments in the Waldorf . Leo excused himself for the night , Lucille saying the last words in low tones , and then , liveried attendants conducted the Harris family to their suite of rooms . It was half past eight when the Harrises sat down to their first meal in their private dining-room . As Mrs. Harris waited for her hot clam soup to cool a little , she said , `` Reuben , this exclusiveness and elegance is quite to my liking . After our return from Europe , why ca n't we all spend our winters in New York ? '' `` No , mother , '' said Gertrude , `` we have our duties to the people of Harrisville , and father , I am sure , will never stay long away from his mills . ''