five minutes after midnight
It was a first Saturday in October , New York 's homing month for its indigenous social birds and butterflies , when The House triply blinked itself into darkness at the untimely hour of eleven-forty-five . There was the usual heterogeneous crowd there , alike in one particular alone , that every guest represented , if not necessarily distinction , at least achievement in his own line . Judge Willis Enderby , many times invited , had for the first time come . At five minutes after midnight , the incorruptible doorkeeper sent an urgent message requesting Mr. Banneker 's personal attention to a party who declined politely but firmly to be turned away . The host , answering the summons , found Io . She held out both hands to him . `` Say you 're glad to see me , '' she said imperatively .