half past seven o'clock
`` Maybe it 's because I never saw you quite so pretty -- '' The little figure stiffened with dignity . `` That will do now , sir -- '' `` Yessum ! '' She threw him a look of quiet scorn as they picked their way through the piles of building material for the unfinished dome of the Capitol and mounted the steps . Barely half past seven o'clock and the crowds were pouring into the Senate Chamber , its cloak rooms and galleries . Within thirty minutes after they had found seats opposite the diplomatic gallery every inch of space in the great hall was jammed and packed . Southern women and their escorts outnumbered the others five to one . The Southern wing of official Washington was out in force .