four o'clock
My curiosity was now so thoroughly aroused , both as to how the President knew me and what his communications might be , that it began to efface the keenness of my mortification . In the midst of my wondering surmises , Mr. Lewis appeared and greeted me most affably ; and when I had presented Captain Clarke 's letter of introduction , he was , if possible , more affable still . He was an older-looking man than I had expected to see , and with so much of seriousness in his countenance , and yet of such frankness and earnestness in his manner , that it drew my interest and liking at once . He was the bearer of a very polite message from the President , inviting me to dinner at the White House at four o'clock that afternoon ; and then he proposed that we should set out at once for the Capitol , where , as he said , a debate of special interest was on the calendar . I was much touched at the generosity of Mr. Jefferson in returning my discourtesy to himself by so courteously placing his secretary at my disposal for my entertainment , and nothing could have pleased me better than Mr. Lewis 's proposal . It had been my intention to visit the Capitol as soon as this visit of ceremony should be performed , but to visit it with a guide so much at home as the President 's secretary was good luck indeed . I thought it still better luck when I found that , by Mr. Jefferson 's special invitation , we were to sit in a small gallery set aside for the President and his friends , and to which a guard in uniform admitted us with a key .