four o'clock in the afternoon
I had ventured to inquire about the hearings . `` There wo n't be any hearings , sir , '' the Colonel assured me . `` We own that committee from top to bottom . '' Indeed , by four o'clock in the afternoon the message came that the committee had agreed to recommend the bill . Shortly after that the first flurry occurred . There came a knock at the door , followed by the entrance of a stocky Irish American of about forty years of age , whose black hair was plastered over his forehead . His sea-blue eyes had a stormy look .