Laura went down stairs, knocked at/the study door, and entered, scarcely waiting for the response.

Senator Dilworthy was alone--with an open Bible in his hand, upside down.

Laura smiled, and said, forgetting her acquired correctness of speech, "It is only me." "Ah, come in, sit down," and the Senator closed the book and laid it down.

"I wanted to see you.

Time to report progress from the committee of the whole," and the Senator beamed with his own congressional wit.
"In the committee of the whole things are working very well.