midday
And , besides , one nowadays had not time for hunting . All the big game was so far away . Lucky enough if one seized the time to bring down a brace of woodcock early in the morning . At this point in Thaddeus 's conversation there was a babble of talk among the convivial gentlemen , for they had all the time in the world at their disposal and could not see why he should be so concerned about snatching a little while at morning or evening , or at midday for that matter . Champagne was flowing like a river when Rouletabille was brought in by Matrena Petrovna . The general , whose eyes had been on the door for some time , cried at once , as though responding to a cue : `` Ah , my dear Rouletabille ! I have been looking for you .