twenty minutes after seven
So there I am , and there 's Mr. Jim Sheridan -- and there 's the clock . Dinner 's at seven-thirty ! '' And she ran out of the room , scooping up her fallen furs with a gesture of flying grace as she sped . When she came down , at twenty minutes after seven , her father stood in the hall , at the foot of the stairs , waiting to be her escort through the dark . He looked up and watched her as she descended , and his gaze was fond and proud -- and profoundly disturbed . But she smiled and nodded gaily , and , when she reached the floor , put a hand on his shoulder . `` At least no one could suspect me to-night , '' she said .