eleven o’clock
Barbet arrived on the day named before Thuillier , who appeared in a cravat which alone was enough to create a stir in the satirical circle in which he was about to produce himself . The publisher , on his own authority , had changed various articles on the bill of fare as selected by his patron , more especially directing that the champagne , ordered in true bourgeois fashion to be served with the dessert , should be placed on the table at the beginning of breakfast , with several dishes of shrimps , a necessity which had not occurred to the amphitryon . Thuillier , who gave a lip-approval to these amendments , was followed by la Peyrade ; and then came a long delay in the arrival of the guests . Breakfast was ordered at eleven o'clock ; at a quarter to twelve not a journalist had appeared . Barbet , who was never at a loss , made the consoling remark that breakfasts at restaurants were like funerals , where , as every one knew , eleven o'clock meant mid-day . Sure enough , shortly before that hour , two gentlemen , with pointed beards , exhaling a strong odor of tobacco , made their appearance . Thuillier thanked them effusively for the `` honor '' they had done him ; after which came another long period of waiting , of which we shall not relate the tortures .