noon
You are not unaware even now , that dried vegetables , on being boiled , recover their original and natural appearance ! '' `` But , Corp ` ral , if one were to cook them , three days ' time , they 'd dissolve into broth . '' `` But , imbecile , why should n't one consider old soldiers hard to cook ? '' At noon , the commisioner of police and the lieutenant of _ gens-d'armes _ made way through the crowd and entered the house . These gentlemen hastened to declare to M. Renault that their visit had nothing of an official character , but that they had come merely from curiosity . In the corridor , they met the Sub-prefect , the Mayor and Gothon , who was lamenting in loud tones that she should see the government lend its hand to such sorceries . About one o'clock , M. Nibor caused a new and prolonged bath to be given the Colonel , on coming out of which , the body was subjected to a kneading harder and more complete than before .